CONVERSION REQUIREMENTS
An ADU conversion may be comprised solely of the conversion of area within an existing structure, or a
hybrid of using existing area and adding an addition. An existing structure may be rebuilt in place to the
same building envelope.
If a homeowner does a hybrid conversion ADU, comprised of both existing and new floor area, then the
standard ADU regulations for new attached units or detached units (e.g. setbacks) shall apply to the new
floor area. Up to 150 square feet may be added to an existing structure for ingress and egress only with-
out rending the project a “hybrid conversion.” Please refer to “Conversion ADU” on the included sum-
Summary Guide to
mary table and PAMC Chapter 18.09.
OTHER REGULATIONS
One ADU and one JADU may be located on a lot that has, or proposes, a single-family dwelling
ADUs and Junior ADUs
unit.
For properties with a JADU, the property owner shall occupy the JADU or primary residence.
No impact fees on ADUs less than 750sf, impact fees for larger ADUs to be proportional to main
house size.
Deed Restriction recorded with the County will be required prior to permit issuance for a JADU.
Street address assignment is required for the new dwelling unit.
ADU/JADUs may not rent for periods less than 30 days.
ADU/JADUs may not be sold separately from the primary residence.
Fire sprinklers are only required for ADUs when required for the primary residence; compliance
with Cal. Fire Code is still required.
ADU/JADUs are not considered a new residential use when calculating utility connection fees; no
new or separate utility connections are required
For ADUs, major appliances shall mean a minimum two burner installed range, and an oven or
convection microwave, as well as a minimum 16 cubic foot freezer and refrigerator combination
unit. Kitchens shall also include counter space for food preparation equal to a minimum 24-inch
depth and 36-inch length, and a sink that facilitates hot and cold water. For JADUs a minimum 10
cubic foot freezer/refrigeration combination unit is required rather than a 16 cubic foot unit.
Attached ADUs shall not have an internal connection between the primary unit and second unit.
JADUs are allowed to have an internal connection.
Protected trees that are removed to accommodate an ADU shall be replaced per the Tree Tech-
nical Manual requirements. Consult with Urban Forestry about specific requirements.
New ADU/JADUs on properties that are listed on the city’s historic inventory, the California Regis- This document is a summary of regulations for accessory dwelling units and
ter, or National Register of Historic Places, shall comply with Secretary of the Interior’s Standards junior accessory dwelling units and is not a substitute for the specific regulations
for treatment of historic properties. For more information, visit https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/ in Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 18.09.
gov/depts/pln/historic_preservation/default.asp
Please review the ADU/JADU regulations in Chapter 18.09 of the Code for complete details. For more information, please call 650-617-3117 or email
[email protected].
REVISED 11/30/20
Table 1: Development Standards for Units Described in Government Code Section 65852.2(e) Table 2: All other Units
Single-Family Multi-Family Attached ADU Detached ADU JADU
Conversion of Space Construction of Conversion of Non-
Non
Within an Existing Attached ADU Habitable Space Conversion or
New Construction of New or Converted
Single-Family Home Within the Space of Within Existing Multi-
Multi Construction of New or Converted Space
Detached ADU Space
or Accessory a Proposed Single- family Dwelling Detached ADU
Structure Family Home Structure
25% of the existing
Number of Units Allowed(1) 1 (ADU or JADU) 1 2 1 1
units (at least one)
Minimum size (2) 150 sf 150 sf
900 sf or 1,000 sf for
two or more
bedrooms; 900 sf or 1,000 sf
Maximum size (2) N/A (3) 800 sf N/A for two or more 500 sf
no more than 50% bedrooms
of the size of the
single-family home
4 feet from side and 4 feet from side and
N/A, if condition is
Underlying zone rear lot lines; rear lot lines; 4 feet from side and rear lot lines; underlying zone standard
Setbacks sufficient for fire and N/A
standard for Single underlying zoning for underlying zoning for for front setback
safety
Family Home front setback front setback
Daylight Plane
Initial Height N/A N/A 8 feet at lot line
Angle 45 degrees
(ADU must be within
Maximum Height (4)
space of Single- 30 feet
Res. Estate (RE)
N/A Family Home) 16 N/A 16
Open Space (OS) 25 feet
All other eligible zones 16 feet
Parking None (5) None (5)
Square Footage Exemption Up to 800 sf for an ADU and up to 500 sf for a JADU (6) Up to 800 sf (6) Up to 500 sf (6)
Reference 65852.2(e)(1)(A) 65852.2(e)(1)(A) 65852.2(e)(1)(B) 65852.2(e)(1)(C) 65852.2(e)(1)(D) PAMC 18.09.040, Ordinance 5507
(1) An attached or detached ADU may be built in conjunction with a JADU on a lot with an existing or proposed single family home. h
(2) Lofts where the height from the floor level to the underside of the rafter or finished roof surface is 5' or greater shall count
c towards the unit’s floor area.
(3) Up to 150 sf may be added for ingress and egress.
(4) Units built in a flood zone are not entitled to any height extensions granted to the primary dwelling.
(5) Existing attached garages converted to a JADU may provide replacement parking as uncovered spaces in any configuration on the lot including within the front or street side yard setback for the property
(6) Lots with both an ADU and a JADU may exempt a maximum combined 800 square feet of the ADU and JADU from FAR, Lot Coverage, and an Maximum House Size calculations.
