In Sacramento, auxiliary dwelling units (ADUs) have become increasingly popular as a solution to the city’s housing shortage and as a way for homeowners to generate rental income or provide housing for family members. ADUs, also known as granny flats, in-law units, or backyard cottages, are secondary dwelling units on single-family residential lots.
The city of Sacramento has recognized the importance of ADUs in addressing housing needs and has taken steps to streamline the permitting process and reduce regulatory barriers for ADU construction. In 2018, the city adopted an ADU ordinance that complies with California state law, which encourages the development of ADUs by limiting local regulations and fees.
Some key points about ADUs in Sacramento include:
- Types of ADUs: Sacramento allows both attached and detached ADUs. Attached ADUs are part of the main house, such as a converted garage, while detached ADUs are separate structures, like a backyard cottage.
- Size and Height Limits: The size of an ADU is limited by the size of the primary dwelling or by city regulations. In Sacramento, ADUs are generally limited to 1,200 square feet for detached units and up to 50% of the existing living area for attached units. Height limits also apply, typically ranging from 14 to 25 feet depending on the zoning district.
- Parking Requirements: The city of Sacramento does not require additional parking for ADUs if certain conditions are met, such as if the ADU is located within half a mile of public transit.
- Rental Restrictions: There are no rental restrictions for ADUs in Sacramento, meaning homeowners can rent them out to tenants for additional income.
- Permitting Process: Sacramento has implemented a streamlined permitting process for ADUs to make it easier and faster for homeowners to get approval for construction. This includes expedited review for certain types of ADUs.
Overall, ADUs in Sacramento offer homeowners a flexible and relatively straightforward way to add housing units to their properties, contributing to the city’s efforts to address its housing needs.