ADU rules in Chula Vista

Chula Vista repealed its local ADU and JADU sections outright (Ord. 3592, adopted April 15, 2025) to 'defer all ADU and JADU regulations to the State Government Code', so state law applies directly and no local ADU ordinance has been adopted since. The city must ministerially approve one detached, new-construction ADU with four-foot side and rear setbacks on a lot with a proposed or existing single-family home, and up to eight detached ADUs on a lot with an existing multifamily building (never more than the number of existing units; two on a lot with a proposed multifamily building). The city's ADU page says it 'permits ADUs and JADUs in areas zoned to allow single-family or multifamily dwelling residential use.' From January 1, 2027, AB 956 (Chapter 791, Statutes of 2026) raises the state-guaranteed count to two detached new-construction ADUs on a single-family lot.

Attached ADUs and conversions of space inside the home or an existing accessory structure are allowed under the state standards the city applies (Gov. Code 66314(d)(3) and 66323(a)(1)); there is no local ADU ordinance. The city's standards table allows one converted or attached ADU (not both) per single-family lot, in addition to one detached ADU and one JADU. On multifamily lots, ADUs may be converted from non-livable space such as storage rooms, attics, basements or garages, at least one and up to 25 percent of the existing units.

With no local ordinance, the caps are the state statutory ones: 1,200 sq ft for a detached ADU (Gov. Code 66314(d)(5)) and 50 percent of the existing primary dwelling for an attached ADU (66314(d)(4)), with the 800 sq ft interior-livable-space floor of 66321(b)(3) and the 500 sq ft JADU limit of 66313(d). The city's table, read October 5, 2026, states 'Converted or Attached ADU: 50 percent or 800 square feet, whichever is greater'; the October 2025 version had said 50 percent or 850/1,000 sq ft 'whichever is less', so older printouts understate what is allowed. State law sets no size cap on a 66323(a)(1) conversion of existing space beyond its 150 sq ft expansion allowance, so confirm with Development Services before sizing a large conversion against the 50 percent figure.

No owner occupancy may be required for an ADU: Gov. Code 66315 bars any standard beyond 66314, 'including an owner-occupant requirement', and the city's comparison table says 'No owner-occupancy required' for ADUs. JADUs differ: owner occupancy applies only when the JADU shares sanitation facilities with the main home (Gov. Code 66333(b), as amended by AB 1154 effective January 1, 2026), and not when it has its own bathroom or the owner is a government agency, land trust or housing organization. The city's table still lists 'Owner-occupancy (Deed Restriction) required' for every JADU; the deed restriction against separate sale (66333(c)) applies to all JADUs, but the occupancy rule follows state law.

Gov. Code 66322 applies whether or not a local ADU ordinance exists ('whether or not the local agency has adopted an ordinance'), and no CVMC section sets ADU parking after the Ord. 3592 repeal. The flat no-parking statement is the city's own published implementation on its ADU page (read October 5, 2026), not codified text.

Ministerial building-permit review with no discretionary review or hearing. Because Chula Vista has no ADU ordinance, Gov. Code 66320 requires it to 'approve or disapprove the application ministerially without discretionary review pursuant to Section 66317': a completeness determination within 15 business days and a decision within 60 days of a complete application, or the permit is deemed approved. City Standard ADU Plans (the SnapADU set or approved plans by other designers) are reviewed in 14 business days versus 21 for standard applications, per the city ADU page. In the coastal zone a city coastal development permit is also needed unless the project is exempt or waived (CVMC 19.83.004), decided within the same 60 days without a public hearing and not appealable to the Coastal Commission (Gov. Code 66329).

CVMC 5.68.050(B): 'The Dwelling Unit shall not be an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) for which a construction permit was applied for on January 1, 2020, or later.' CVMC 5.68.030 defines a short-term rental as less than 30 consecutive calendar days and treats pre-2020 ADUs as part of the primary residence (partial-home rental when the owner or long-term tenant is present). State cites: separate-sale bar Gov. Code 66314(d)(1) and 66341; rental terms longer than 30 days 66323(e) and 66333(g). Chapter 5.68 was last amended by Ord. 3544 (2023) and is current through Ord. 3626.