5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Sutter County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Sutter County, ADUs are ministerially permitted by Zoning Clearance in all districts allowing single-family or multifamily dwellings. Detached ADUs may reach 1,200 sq ft. Setbacks are 4 ft side and rear, height at least 16 ft, no parking required, and impact fees are waived under 750 sq ft.
Sutter County Zoning Code sec. 1500-06-030(H)
H. Accessory Dwelling Units. Accessory dwelling units are subject to the following standards: 1. Accessory Dwelling Units are exempt from the General Plan land use density limitations and only one accessory dwelling unit is allowed per lot that shall also contain an existing single-family dwelling. 2. Accessory dwelling units shall not be sold separately from the existing dwelling unit located ...
In unincorporated Sutter County, detached sheds and similar accessory structures are addressed by Zoning Code Section 1500-10-030. Structures under 15 ft tall set back at least 3 ft from interior side and rear lines (6 ft if within 70 ft of the front-yard street). Structures in a required rear yard may cover up to 50% of that yard, capped at 1,000 sq ft.
Sutter County Zoning Code sec. 1500-10-030
1500-10-030 Accessory Structures The following standards apply to residential accessory buildings and structures without living quarters. Examples of such residential accessory structures include detached garages, storage sheds, private workshops, guest cottages, pool houses, hobby rooms, game rooms, gazebos, shade structures, covered patios, outdoor kitchens, ground mounted solar arrays that s...
Unincorporated Sutter County allows converting a garage or other existing space into an ADU under Zoning Code Section 1500-10-040, or into a JADU under Section 1500-10-050. Conversions of existing space are exempt from added setbacks, and a JADU within the home or attached garage may be up to 500 sq ft with owner occupancy required.
Sutter County Zoning Code sec. 1500-06-030(H)(4), (H)(14)
4. Accessory dwelling units shall comply with same setback requirements as the primary dwelling unit on the parcel; however, no additional setback shall be required for an existing garage that is converted to an accessory dwelling unit, and a minimum setback of five feet from the side and rear lot lines shall be required for an accessory dwelling unit established above a garage [...] 14. If an ...
Unincorporated Sutter County has no carport-specific ordinance. Carports and covered patios are treated as residential accessory structures under Zoning Code Section 1500-10-030: a 3-ft interior side/rear setback applies if under 15 ft tall and more than 70 ft from the front-yard street, increasing to 6 ft within 70 ft, with rear-yard coverage capped at 50% (max 1,000 sq ft).
Sutter County Zoning Code sec. 1500-27-020
4. Carport. A permanently roofed structure providing space for parking or temporary storage of vehicles. It may or may not include sides, but will be considered a garage if all four sides are enclosed.
Unincorporated Sutter County has no standalone 'tiny home' ordinance. A tiny home on a permanent foundation is generally treated as an ADU under Zoning Code Section 1500-10-040 (detached ADU up to 1,200 sq ft, no minimum size barrier in the code). A movable tiny home on wheels is a recreational vehicle and is not authorized as a permanent residence by the zoning code.
Sutter County Zoning Code sec. 1500-03-070
2. Accessory Dwelling Unit. Includes an attached or detached residential dwelling unit which provides complete independent facilities for one or more persons. It shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the existing single-family dwelling is situated. An accessory dwelling unit also includes an efficiency unit, as defined in ...
2 cities in Sutter County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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