Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit or JADU is a unit of no more than five hundred (500) square feet in size and contained entirely within a single-family residence, maintains a separate exterior entrance from the main entrance to the single-family residence, maintains an interior connection to the main living area of the single-family residence. A JADU may include separate sanitation facilities or shares sanitation facilities with the existing structure.

JADU Requirements (FCMC Section 17.78.060.B):

• Number of Units - 1 JADU per single-family residence.
• Location - Constructed within the existing or proposed single-family residence.
• Size - Maximum 500 Sq. Ft.
• Setbacks – N/A
• Height – N/A
• Additional Requirements
  • The property owner must reside in either the remaining portion of the primary dwelling unit or the JADU.
  • The owner must record a deed restriction that shall include prohibition on the sale of the JADU separate from the sale of the single-family residence, a restriction on the size and attributes of the JADU. 
  • JADU shall not be rented for a period of less than 30 consecutive calendar days.

Attached ADU is an ADU that is constructed as a physical expansion (i.e., addition) of an existing single-family residence and shares at least one (1) wall with the single-family residence.

Attached ADU Requirements (FCMC Section 17.78.060.C)

• Number of Units - 1 attached (or 1 detached ADU) per single family residence.
• Location – Not allowed in the front yard.
  • Exception: unless property configuration does not allow a minimum of 850 square foot attached or detached ADU on the side or rear yard.
• Size – no more than 1,200 square feet or 50% of the existing or proposed primary dwelling (whichever is less). An 850-square foot ADU is allowed in a scenario where 50% of primary dwelling is less than 850 square feet.
• ​​Setbacks – 4’ setback to side and rear yards.
• Height – Shall not exceed 25’ and two stories.
• Additional Requirements
  • See parking requirements below.

Detached ADU is an ADU that is constructed as a separate structure from the primary dwelling unit and does not share any walls with the primary dwelling unit or an existing attached accessory structure. 

Detached ADU Requirements (FCMC Section 17.78.060.D)

• Number of Units - 1 detached (or 1 attached ADU) per single family residence.
• Location – Not allowed in the front yard.
  • Exception: unless property configuration does not allow a minimum of 850 square foot attached or detached ADU on the side or rear yard.
• Size – no more than 1,200 square feet or 50% of the existing or proposed primary dwelling (whichever is less)
• Setback – 4’ setback to side and rear property lines.
  • Separation between detached ADU and primary dwelling shall comply with California Residential Code.
• Height – shall not exceed 16’.
  • Exception: 18’ if ADU is located within ½ mile of major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor; AND the additional 2’ shall be to accommodate the roof pitch.
• Additional Requirements
  • See parking requirements below.

Conversion ADU is an ADU that is created within existing space, including a portion of a primary dwelling unit or existing non-habitable space in an existing primary or accessory structure.

Conversion ADU Requirements (FCMC Section 17.78.060.E)

• Number of Units – 1 conversion per single family residence.
• Location – Within existing primary dwelling.
• Size – N/A
• Setbacks – N/A
• Height – N/A
• Additional Requirements
  • A legal accessory building (including a detached garage) may be converted into an ADU provided the side and rear setbacks are sufficient for fire safety.
    • May expand the existing dimensions of the accessory building by no more than 150 square feet to accommodate ingress/egress. Such expansion would count towards size of the ADU.
  • See parking requirements below.

Conversion Multi-Family ADU Requirements (FCMC Section 17.78.070.A)

• Number of Units - At least 1 within the multifamily building with no more than 25% of the existing multifamily dwelling units.
• Location - Permitted within portions of the existing legally permitted multifamily dwelling structures that are not used as livable space.
• Size:
  • Studio or 1 Bedroom – no more than 850 Sq. Ft.
  • 2 or More Bedrooms – no more than 1,000 Sq. Ft.
• Setbacks – N/A
• Height – N/A

Detached Multi-Family ADU Requirements (FCMC Section 17.78.070.B) 

• Number of Units – Up to 2 ADUs for a proposed multifamily building, and up to 8 detached ADUs provided that the total number of ADUs does not exceed the existing number of multifamily units.
• Location – Permitted within multifamily property while meeting setback requirements.
• Size – N/A
• Setbacks:
  • Side & Rear – a minimum 4’.
  • Separation between detached ADU and multifamily dwelling building shall meet all California Residential Code requirements.
• Height:
  • No more than 18’ for existing or proposed multistory multifamily building.
  • 18’ allowed if existing or proposed multifamily dwelling unit is within one-half of one mile walking distance of a major transit stop or a high-quality transit corridor. May add additional 2’ to accommodate roof pitch that is aligned with the primary multifamily building (for a maximum of 20’).