What are ADUs?

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a another home on your property. As the illustrations below show, it can take many forms – a separate small home, an apartment over a garage, or in a basement. It can be created by remodeling your existing home and garage or making additions to it, or it can be a separate building.

ADUs can be developed on properties where a primary residential structure exists and can be used like any other home for living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation. ADUs are also commonly referred to as a granny flat or in-law unit. The City of Sacramento allows up to two ADUs per lot.

ADUs can share walls with each other and/or the primary residence (attached) or be stand alone structures (detached) from each other and the primary residence. They must also comply with all of the dwelling unit provisions mandated by the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, also known as the California Building Standards Code.

TYPES OF ADUs

New Construction (Detached)

Newly constructed detached or stand-alone ADUs

Addition (Attached)

Newly constructed that are attached or an extension to a primary structure

Interior Conversion

Taking unused space, like a basement or an attic, and turning it into an ADU

Garage Conversion

Taking an existing garage and turning it into an ADU

Above Garage Conversion

Building an ADU above an existing garage

Modular and Pre-Manufactured

Modular ADUs are built partially or entirely off site and delivered to the property

Wondering about Junior ADUs?

A Junior ADU (JADU) is a type of ADU that cannot exceed 500 square feet in size and must be contained entirely within a single-unit residence. JADUs are allowed to share bathroom facilities with the conjoined residence, but must have its own efficiency kitchen and separate entrance. JADUs are also required to record a deed restriction on the property.

To learn more about JADUs and how they differ from traditional ADUs, review California Government Code, Title 7, Division 1, Chapter 13, Article 3.