City · California

ADU rules in Santa Clarita

3 sources

These are the primary sources for accessory dwelling unit regulations in Santa Clarita: the city's own zoning code, planning department pages, and permit guides. Start here before talking to anyone: the rules below are what your permit reviewer will apply.

Rules at a glance

Detached (backyard) ADU

Allowed

The UDC lists ADUs and JADUs as state-designated housing use types 'permitted pursuant to California law' in all zones allowing residential use, and SCMC 17.57.040(L) implements the Gov. Code 66323 mandates, which include one detached new-construction ADU per single-family lot (the city may cap that streamlined category at 800 sq ft) and detached ADUs on multifamily lots. The city's ADU handout lists detached ADU standards (4 ft side/rear setbacks, 6 ft from the primary residence, 16 ft height, or 18 ft plus 2 ft of roof pitch within a half mile of a transit stop).

SCMC 17.42.020(1); SCMC 17.57.040(L); Gov. Code 66323(a)(2)

Attached or internal ADU

Allowed

Attached ADUs and conversions of space within the primary dwelling or an accessory structure (including garages) are permitted the same way; Gov. Code 66314(d)(3) covers ADUs attached to or within the primary dwelling and 66323(a)(1) mandates approval of an ADU or JADU within existing or proposed single-family space. The city handout lists attached ADU standards (25 ft height max, not exceeding two stories) and garage-conversion ADUs.

SCMC 17.42.020(1); Gov. Code 66314(d)(3), 66323(a)(1)

Maximum size

Current UDC sets no local ADU size caps; it defers to state law. State framework: attached ADU up to 50% of the existing primary dwelling; detached ADU up to 1,200 sq ft; local caps below 850 sq ft (0-1 bedroom) or 1,000 sq ft (2+ bedrooms) are prohibited and at least an 800 sq ft ADU must always be allowed; JADU max 500 sq ft of interior livable space, entirely within the single-family residence. The city's October 2023 handout (still posted) lists 850 sq ft (0-1 bedroom) and 1,000 sq ft (2 bedroom) caps for attached and detached ADUs, with attached ADUs also limited to 50% of primary residence floor area, and JADU at 500 sq ft.

The 850/1,000 sq ft caps come from the pre-2025 ordinance reflected in the handout; SCMC 17.57.040(L) as amended 5/27/2025 and 4/28/2026 contains no numeric size caps, so the state-law limits are the operative ceiling. Confirm current practice with Planning before designing to a number.

SCMC 17.57.040(L); Gov. Code 66314(d)(4)-(5), 66321(b)(2)-(3), 66313(d)

Owner occupancy

Not required

No owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs: the current code imposes none and Gov. Code 66315 bars any owner-occupant requirement for ADUs. JADUs are different: SCMC 17.57.040(L)(3)(b) requires the owner to occupy either the single-family residence or the JADU unless exempt under Gov. Code 66333(b) (as amended effective 1/1/2026, owner occupancy applies when the JADU shares sanitation facilities; units with separate sanitation, or owners that are a governmental agency, land trust, or housing organization, are exempt). The city handout requires a recorded JADU deed-restriction covenant before building permit issuance.

SCMC 17.57.040(L)(3)(b); Gov. Code 66315, 66333(b)

Extra parking

Maximum 1 space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less; tandem parking on a driveway allowed. No parking may be required if the ADU is within a half mile walking distance of public transit, is in an architecturally and historically significant historic district, is part of the proposed or existing primary residence or an accessory structure, where on-street permits are required but not offered to the ADU occupant, or where a car share vehicle is within one block. No replacement parking when a garage, carport, or covered or uncovered space is demolished or converted for an ADU. JADUs require no additional parking. The current UDC sets no local ADU parking standard; the city handout states one space with the state exemptions.

The October 2023 handout also says parking lost when a JADU replaces a garage must be replaced on site; the current code text contains no such requirement and Gov. Code 66334(a) bars requiring additional parking for JADUs, so treat that handout line as pre-2024 guidance and confirm with the city.

Gov. Code 66314(d)(10)-(11), 66322, 66334(a); SCMC 17.57.040(L)

Approval process

Permitted use

SCMC 17.22.090 (amended 4/28/2026): the Class I application ministerial process applies to ADUs and JADUs; Class I is a ministerial verification of compliance with no discretionary review. State law requires a completeness determination within 15 business days and approval or denial within 60 days of a complete application, with the application deemed approved if the deadline is missed (Gov. Code 66317). Planning Division clearance is required before Building and Safety plan review per the city's plan-requirements handout.

SCMC 17.22.090; SCMC 17.22.010; Gov. Code 66317

Rental restrictions

Any rental of an ADU must be for a term of 30 days or longer; JADUs cannot be rented for any period less than 30 days. JADUs may not be sold separately (recorded deed restriction). ADUs may be rented separately but may not be sold or conveyed separately from the primary residence, except through the narrow state programs for qualified nonprofit affordable-housing sales (Gov. Code 66341); the UDC contains no local ordinance allowing ADU condominium conveyance under Gov. Code 66342.

The 30-day minimums and the JADU no-separate-sale rule are in the current code text at SCMC 17.57.040(L)(3)(a)-(b); the ADU separate-sale prohibition rests on Gov. Code 66314(d)(1) and is repeated in the city handout.

SCMC 17.57.040(L)(3); Gov. Code 66314(d)(1), 66341

The fine print: 7 caveats that can change the picture

Santa Clarita rewrote its ADU regulations via Ord. 25-1 (5/27/2025) and Ord. 26-2 (4/28/2026): SCMC 17.57.040(L) now defers almost entirely to state ADU law (Gov. Code 66310 et seq.) instead of enumerating local standards, so the numeric standards on the city's October 2023 handout (850/1,000 sq ft caps, 4 ft setbacks, 16 to 25 ft heights, zone lists) no longer appear in the code text.
High fire hazard severity zone: the handout says an ADU must front a highway or have two non-overlapping ways of accessing a highway; this siting restriction was in the pre-2025 ordinance (verified in the December 2023 code text) but is not in the current code, so confirm current practice with Planning (661-255-4330).
Properties with oak trees need clearance from the city's Urban Forestry Division before any development (city handout).
The handout describes up to one ADU per single-family property plus a possible JADU; current state law the city implements also mandates multifamily-lot ADUs (conversion ADUs of at least one and up to 25% of existing units, plus up to 8 detached ADUs on lots with an existing multifamily dwelling, or 2 with a proposed one) per Gov. Code 66323(a)(3)-(4).
ADUs and JADUs without an internal connection to the primary dwelling must obtain a separate address number; ADUs and JADUs are subject to development impact fees charged proportionally to square footage and generally must install a separate utility connection with a proportionate connection fee (SCMC 17.57.040(L)(4)-(5)).
No final certificate of occupancy for an ADU or JADU before the primary dwelling's final certificate of occupancy, except as allowed by applicable law (SCMC 17.57.040(L)(2)).
Building submittal: attached ADUs need a one-hour fire-rated assembly separating them from the main dwelling, and ADUs need a separate HVAC system, water heater, and dedicated subpanel (city ADU/JADU Building Plan Requirements, revised 1/25/2022).

Summarized from Santa Clarita's ordinance text, read July 2026; every row links the code section it came from. Rules often vary by zone and lot, so treat this as orientation, not a permit determination, and confirm with the planning department before you commit to a design.

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ADU regulations

California statewide law also applies

California sets baseline ADU rights at the state level. Where local rules are stricter than state law allows, state law usually wins, so both are worth reading.

See California statewide rules

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