The Complete Santa Clara ADU Requirements Guide
Building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Santa Clara is a great way to maximize the value and usefulness your property. Start here to learn the rules and regulations.
An ADU is a self-contained housing unit that shares a lot with a larger main residence. Whether you rent yours out, house family and friends, or turn it into a home office, an ADU allows you to do more with the land you already have.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about the requirements for ADUs in Santa Clara and how to build your own with Samara.
Santa Clara ADU regulations at a glance
In recent years, the state of California has passed a series of laws to promote the development of ADUs. In 2024, the city of Santa Clara updated its zoning ordinance to make the ADUs construction process even more straightforward.
The city is obligated to review your ADU permit submission within 60 days, while the full permit process typically takes three to four months. Here’s what else you need to know as you start to plan your ADU:
Size and lot requirements
In Santa Clara, all ADUs are required to be larger than 150 square feet. The maximum size depends on the type of ADU you’re trying to build.
- Detached ADU size restrictions are determined by lot size. On lots smaller than 5,500 square feet, ADUs are capped at 1,000 square feet. For lots greater than 5,500 square feet, ADUs are allowed up to 1,200 square feet. Santa Clara allows for detached ADUs up to 1.5 stories tall with an absolute height up to 25 feet, but single-story detached ADUs can’t be taller than 18 feet.
- Attached ADUs are allowed up to 1,000 square feet or 50% of the size of the main house, whichever is smaller. Unlike detached ADUs, attached ADUs can have two full stories and are limited in height to 25 feet.
- Junior ADUs (JADUs) can be up to 500 square feet.
Detached ADUs in Santa Clara should have setbacks of at least four feet from the rear, side, and corner lot lines must be at least six feet from the main residence. Any half-story portion of a detached ADU must be set back at least 15 feet from the rear property line. Setback requirements for attached ADUs and JADUs vary depending on your property’s zoning classification.
Meet the KurodasDesign requirements
There are only two major design requirements for ADUs in Santa Clara:
- Second-story emergency escape windows are required to face your primary residence, not neighboring properties.
- If you live in a historic district or your property is listed in the California Register of Historical Resources, you may need to get approval from the city to ensure your ADU is compatible with your existing house and neighborhood. These areas may also have additional requirements regarding parking and landscaping.
Parking requirements
You are not required to create a parking space for an ADU or JADU in the city of Santa Clara. Even if you demolish a covered parking space or garage to make room for your ADU, you won’t have to replace the parking spot.
Zoning eligibility
ADUs are allowed on residential and mixed-use lots in Santa Clara. Generally, they’re permitted wherever residential buildings are, even if your area has an HOA.
Number of ADUs allowed
You are allowed to have one ADU and one JADU on a single-family lot, including garage conversions and new construction.
For multi-family properties, up to eight detached ADUs are allowed. Non-residential spaces, such as storage areas or offices, can be converted into ADUs as long as the total number of conversions is not greater than 25 percent of the existing unit count.
Samara has an ADU for every yard.
Choose from five prefab models.
supersized.
and then some.
Too perfect.
for everything.
Yay big.
Streamline your ADU project in Santa Clara
If you’re looking to build an ADU, Samara makes it easy. We handle everything from permits to installation, including ADU financing options. 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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With five prefab models, Samara has an ADU for every yard.
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