PERCH · ADU LEGALITY INDEX · UPDATED PENDING

ADU Laws in California — 2026 Guide

Statute summary, size caps, owner-occupancy rules, permit timelines, and a 4-question eligibility quiz. Part of the PERCH ADU Legality Index — one page per state, updated as statutes change.

Statute research in progress Jurisdiction-specific data for California confirms Sprint 3-4 of the PERCH ADU Legality Index rollout. The quiz below returns placeholder outcomes tuned to generic ADU zoning heuristics — treat as directional, not legal advice.

4-question eligibility quiz

Q1 · State
What state are you building in?
Q2 · Lot size
How big is the lot?
Q3 · Zoning
What zoning district is the lot in?
Q4 · Property type
Which best describes the build?
Result

Key rules · California

Statute summaryPLACEHOLDER — statute research pending. Ships live Sprint 3-4.
ADU allowedConditional — depends on jurisdiction
Size cap (sqft)TBD — Sprint 3-4
Owner-occupancy requiredTBD — Sprint 3-4
Permit timeline (days)TBD — Sprint 3-4
Statute citationTBD — Sprint 3-4
Last verifiedTBD — Sprint 3-4

Frequently Asked Questions

Are ADUs legal in California?
Statute research pending — this page will fill with jurisdiction-specific detail in Sprint 3-4 of the PERCH ADU Legality Index rollout. In the meantime, cross-reference the California municipal code and consult a local planning department.
What are the size limits on an ADU in California?
Statute research pending — this page will fill with jurisdiction-specific detail in Sprint 3-4 of the PERCH ADU Legality Index rollout. In the meantime, cross-reference the California municipal code and consult a local planning department.
Do I need a permit for an ADU in California?
Statute research pending — this page will fill with jurisdiction-specific detail in Sprint 3-4 of the PERCH ADU Legality Index rollout. In the meantime, cross-reference the California municipal code and consult a local planning department.
Can I rent out my ADU in California?
Statute research pending — this page will fill with jurisdiction-specific detail in Sprint 3-4 of the PERCH ADU Legality Index rollout. In the meantime, cross-reference the California municipal code and consult a local planning department.
Does California require owner-occupancy on the primary residence when I have an ADU?
Statute research pending — this page will fill with jurisdiction-specific detail in Sprint 3-4 of the PERCH ADU Legality Index rollout. In the meantime, cross-reference the California municipal code and consult a local planning department.
What zoning districts allow ADUs in California?
Statute research pending — this page will fill with jurisdiction-specific detail in Sprint 3-4 of the PERCH ADU Legality Index rollout. In the meantime, cross-reference the California municipal code and consult a local planning department.
How long does an ADU permit take in California?
Statute research pending — this page will fill with jurisdiction-specific detail in Sprint 3-4 of the PERCH ADU Legality Index rollout. In the meantime, cross-reference the California municipal code and consult a local planning department.
Are there setback requirements for an ADU in California?
Statute research pending — this page will fill with jurisdiction-specific detail in Sprint 3-4 of the PERCH ADU Legality Index rollout. In the meantime, cross-reference the California municipal code and consult a local planning department.
Can I finance an ADU purchase in California?
Statute research pending — this page will fill with jurisdiction-specific detail in Sprint 3-4 of the PERCH ADU Legality Index rollout. In the meantime, cross-reference the California municipal code and consult a local planning department.
What's the difference between an ADU and a JADU in California?
Statute research pending — this page will fill with jurisdiction-specific detail in Sprint 3-4 of the PERCH ADU Legality Index rollout. In the meantime, cross-reference the California municipal code and consult a local planning department.

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