4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Yolo County, California.
Verified from official government sources
ADUs are a ministerial, permitted use on residentially zoned lots, with a 1,200 sq ft cap on detached units and 4-foot side/rear setbacks for new construction; state ADU Law preempts most local standards.
Yolo County Zoning Code Title 8, Sec. 8-2.506(b) (ADU and JADU); HCD Letter of Technical Assistance dated Dec. 5, 2025
(1) Accessory dwelling units (ADU) in residential zones are a permitted use only subject to the requirements set forth separately below and in no case shall an ADU that meets the minimum requirements be subject to discretionary review. A ministerial permit for an ADU may be disapproved only if the Planning Director finds that the ADU would be detrimental to the public health and safety or would...
Sheds and storage buildings 120 sq ft or smaller without water, sewer, or electrical service need no building permit and may sit in side and rear yard setback areas; larger sheds need a permit and at least a 3-foot side/rear setback.
Yolo County Zoning Code Title 8, Sec. 8-2.506(a) (Accessory Structures); Table 8-2.504(b)
(a) Accessory Structures. (1) All habitable accessory structures require issuance of a Building Permit. Certified manufactured homes attached to a foundation system that meets CHSC standards shall be considered a permanent residence. See section 8-2.506(b) for Accessory and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units. (2) Accessory non-dwelling structures require issuance of a Building Permit if over 120 s...
Yolo County allows garage conversion to an ADU or JADU as a ministerial, permitted use; no replacement parking is required, no setback is imposed on the converted footprint, and a JADU may share sanitation with the main house.
Yolo County Zoning Code Title 8, Sec. 8-2.506(b)(3)(i), 8-2.506(b)(4)(i), and 8-2.507; Cal. Gov. Code Sections 66323, 66333, 66334
(3) The following setback requirements for ADUs shall apply: (i) Setbacks for existing structures or conversion of structures. No setback shall be required for an existing living area or accessory structure or a structure constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing structure that is converted to an accessory dwelling unit or a portion of an accessory dwelling unit...
1 cities in Yolo County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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