6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Cruz County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County allows accessory dwelling units ministerially under County Code 13.10.681 and California's state ADU law. Detached ADUs can be 850-1,200 sq ft, with 4-foot side/rear setbacks and limited parking. Coastal Zone projects may face added review, and certain coastal areas require a replacement parking space.
SCCC 13.10.681 (Development Standards for ADUs)
Areas zoned for single-family dwelling residential use may potentially have up to four ADUs, including one detached ADU no more than 800 square feet with minimum 4-foot side and rear setbacks and height no more than 16 feet, 18 feet if near transit, or 20 feet if roof pitch aligns with primary dwelling unit.
In unincorporated Santa Cruz County, a detached storage shed needs no building permit if it is 120 sq ft or smaller, one story and 10 feet or less in height, with no electricity, plumbing, or habitable use. Such sheds may sit within 3 feet of side and rear property lines under County Code 13.10.611.
SCCC 13.10.611 (Accessory Structures)
A detached accessory structure less than 120 square feet in size and 10 feet or less in height may be constructed to within three feet of the side and rear property lines, unless a building envelope not based on zoning standards has been established on the parcel for some other purpose, such as a setback from a sensitive habitat or geological hazard.
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County allows converting a legal garage into a conversion ADU under County Code 13.10.681 and state ADU law. Only legally built structures qualify, no new parking is required for the conversion, and the minimum unit size is 150 sq ft. Coastal Zone conversions may need extra review.
SCCC 13.10.681 (Development Standards for ADUs)
A 'Conversion ADU' means the conversion of any portion of a legal accessory structure, single-family dwelling, or garage for the purpose of creating an ADU. Conversion ADUs can include demolition and rebuilding of a structure with the same footprint and building envelope and can also include additions of up to 150 square feet. Parking is not required for Conversion ADUs or JADUs.
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County treats carports as accessory structures under the zoning code. County Code 13.10.323 provides setback exceptions: on qualifying sloped residential lots an unenclosed carport may have a reduced 5-foot front setback, and detached structures in the rear yard can sit 3 feet from side and rear lines.
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County is one of few California counties with a dedicated Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOW) permit program. Under County Code 13.10.680 (Ordinance 5413), a THOW is capped at 400 sq ft, limited to one per parcel, must meet ANSI A119.5, and the County permit is renewed every five years with annual DMV registration.
1 cities in Santa Cruz County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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