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Community Development Resource Agency - Accessory Homes

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1. Where are Accessory Homes allowed?

An Accessory Home is permitted in single and multiple family residential zones.

2. Is a permit required for a new Accessory Home?

Yes, in all cases a building permit is required. Property owners interested in constructing an Accessory Home on their property are encouraged to speak with our Accessory Home team prior to preparing construction documents, to discuss your concept and verify what permits will be needed. Please call (530) 745-3075 or e-mail at [email protected].

3. Can an Accessory Home be sold separately from the primary residence?

No, accessory homes cannot be sold separately from the primary dwelling unit.

4. Can an Accessory Home be rented?

Yes, however, rental of the Accessory Home for thirty (30) days or less is prohibited.

5. What is the maximum size an Accessory Home can be?

An attached Accessory Home may be up to fifty percent of the existing living area of the primary residence. A detached Accessory Home is limited to a maximum total floor area of 1,200 square feet.

6. Can I add a “tiny home” as an Accessory Home?

Tiny homes are permitted in Placer County if they are on permanent foundations and meeting California Residential Building Code.

7. Can a portion of an existing house, garage or other accessory structure be converted to an Accessory Home?

Yes, provided the structure was legally constructed with building permits and the structure can be upgraded to meet the building code requirements for a living unit. When an existing garage or other accessory structure is converted to an Accessory Home, no additional building setback is required. The Accessory Home must have independent exterior access from the existing residence.

8. Can an Accessory Home be constructed above or attached to a garage?

Yes, provided the garage was legally constructed with building permits and the structure can be upgraded to meet the building code requirements for a second story and a living unit. An Accessory Home constructed above a garage must meet the setbacks required for that parcel.

9. Is parking required for an Accessory Home?

An Accessory Home must provide one parking space. The parking space may be covered or uncovered and can be provided on an existing driveway. If the required parking for primary residence is displaced by Accessory Home and one additional parking space is provided for the Accessory Home, then the replacement parking spaces for the primary residence may be covered, uncovered, tandem, or spaces created by mechanical automobile parking lifts.

10. Can parking for an Accessory Home be waived?

Parking for an Accessory Home may be waived in any of the following instances:

a. The Accessory Home is located within one-half mile of public transit, including transit stations and bus stations.

b. The Accessory Home is located within an architecturally and historically significant historic district.

c. The Accessory Home is part of the existing primary residence or an existing accessory structure.

d. When on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupants of the ADU.

e. When there is a car share vehicle located within one block of the ADU.

11. What is a Junior Accessory Home?

A Junior Accessory Home is a living unit of 500 square feet or less contained completely in a single-family dwelling or an accessory dwelling.

12. What is the difference between an Accessory Home and a Junior Accessory Home?

An Accessory Home can be attached or detached from the primary dwelling. A Junior Accessory Home needs to be built with the framework of the primary dwelling or Accessory Home.

13. Where are Junior Accessory Homes allowed?

A Junior Accessory Home is permitted in single and multiple family residential zones.

14. Is a permit required for a new Junior Accessory Home?

Yes, in all cases a building permit is required. Property owners interested in constructing a Junior Accessory Home on their property are encouraged to speak with our Accessory Home team prior to preparing construction documents, to discuss your concept and verify what permits will be needed.

15. Can a Junior Accessory Home be sold separately from the primary residence?

No, junior accessory homes cannot be sold separately. 

16. What is the maximum size a Junior Accessory Home can be?

The maximum square footage of a Junior Accessory Home is 500 square feet.  

17. Is parking required for a Junior Accessory Home?

No.

18. What if my HOA does not allow an Accessory Home?

Homeowner associations (HOAs and CC&Rs) must allow the construction of Accessory Homes according to recent state legislation.

19. How many accessory homes can I build on my property?

At this point in time every parcel zoned residential in Placer County is allowed to have up to three dwellings. One primary dwelling, one accessory home (ADU) and one Junior ADU (JADU).  There is no limit on the square footage of the primary dwelling. The ADU can be up to 1,200 square feet or 50% of the primary dwelling if it is attached. The JADU can be up to 500 square feet and needs to be built within the framework of either the primary dwelling or ADU.

20. Can I build an accessory home in North Lake Tahoe?

Additional regulations apply for homeowners wishing to build an accessory home in the Tahoe Basin as determined by Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). Determine if your residence is restricted within the TRPA coverage area by going to parcels.laketahoeinfo.org.

Learn more here.

21. What is the minimum lot size required for an accessory home?

There is no minimum lot size required for an accessory home in Placer County.