The Complete Palo Alto ADU Requirements Guide
Building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Palo Alto is a great way to maximize your property. An ADU is a self-contained housing unit that shares a lot with a larger main residence. Whether it’s used for rental income, to house extended family, or as a separate workspace, an ADU adds functional space and can increase property value.
This guide covers the key regulations and requirements for ADUs in Palo Alto—and how Samara can help you build one.
Palo Alto ADU regulations at a glance
Since 2016, California has passed a series of state laws that make it easier to build ADUs. Palo Alto follows those rules, with some local zoning and design standards layered on top.
Here’s what you need to know:
Size and lot requirements
The minimum size for any ADU in Palo Alto is 150 square feet. The maximum depends on the type:
- Detached ADUs can be a maximum of 900 square feet for studio and one-bedroom units and 1,000 square feet for units with two or more bedrooms. The height limit is 16 feet. If the detached ADU is within half a mile of a transit stop or shares a lot with a multi-story, multi-family building, the limit increases to 18 feet.
- Attached ADUs can be 1,000 square feet for units with two or more bedrooms or up to 50 percent of the total floor area of the main dwelling, whichever is less. The height limits are the same as detached ADUs.
- Junior ADUs (JADUs) max out at 500 square feet.
Additionally, ADUs should have four-foot setbacks from the side and rear lot lines.
Meet the KurodasDesign requirements
When building an ADU in Palo Alto, there are a few design requirements to keep in mind:
- Attached ADUs cannot share an interior access point with the main house. This rule does not apply to JADUs, which may share bathroom facilities with the primary residence.
- ADU kitchens are required to have a two-burner stovetop, an oven, and a 16-cubic-foot freezer/refrigerator unit (JADUs only require a 10-cubic-foot freezer/refrigerator). Additionally, kitchens need countertops that are at least 24 inches deep and 36 inches long, including a sink with both hot and cold water.
ADUs within historic districts may have special requirements for architectural preservation.
Parking requirements
Palo Alto does not require any off-street parking spaces for new ADUs.
Zoning eligibility
ADUs are permitted in all areas zoned for single-family or multi-family residential use, including mixed-use zones.
Number of ADUs allowed
Single-family homes can have up to one ADU and one JADU. If a primary dwelling is not currently on the lot, one is required to be planned for the ADU to be constructed.
Non-residential spaces, such as storage areas and offices, can be converted into ADUs as long as the total number of conversions is not greater than 25 percent of the existing units.
You could keep reading about ADUs.
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Streamline your ADU project in Palo Alto
If you’re looking to build an ADU, Samara makes it easy. We handle everything from permits to installation and even offer our own financing. Call us at 650-420-2607 to schedule a 15-minute consultation and discover how simple adding a Backyard ADU can be.
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