Zoning Code Revisions

On March 3, 2020, the City Council adopted an urgency ordinance amending the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) section of the Santa Rosa Zoning Code in compliance with State law and to include local protections and clarifications.

The Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance can be accessed HERE. s a New Window. Opens a New Window. Opens a New Window. 

Fee Reductions

Development Impact Fees

Certain development impact fees for ADUs have been reduced.  The amount to be paid for each of the following fees is identified in the chart below:

• Capital Facilities fees
• Parks fees

Utility Connections and Fees

Pursuant to Zoning Code Section 20-42.130(D)(3)(b), no new or separate utility connection, or related connection fee or capacity charge, will be required for the following ADUs: 

• Internal conversions of existing space within a single-family residence or an accessory structure; or 
• New ADUs (detached or attached) that are 750 square-feet or smaller.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are answers to frequently asked questions related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADU):

What is an ADU?

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is an attached or detached residential dwelling, located on the same parcel as an existing or proposed residential dwelling, that provides complete independent living facilities, including sleeping, cooking, bathing, and sanitation. An ADU can be located on any property where the zoning district allows a single-family or multifamily residential use that includes a proposed or existing dwelling.

What is a JADU?

A Junior ADU or JADU is unit that is no more than 500 square feet in size and contained entirely within a single-family residence which may include an attached garage. A JADU must include an efficiency kitchen, and may include separate sanitation facilities, or may share sanitation facilities with the existing residence. 

What are the building permit application submittal requirements?

The following are the materials required for submittal of a building permit for both an ADU and JADU:

• Site plan
• Floor plan 
• Foundation plan
• Interior cross sections
• Construction details
• Elevations for new structures
• Deed Restriction as applicable (see the owner occupancy information below)
• Historic Resource Survey as applicable (see the historic preservation district information below)

Building Division staff have prepared checklists for design professionals to ensure a complete submittal and minimize the need for plan revisions and related delays.  They are linked below:

• Submittal Checklist for new detached ADUs Opens a New Window. 
• Submittal Checklist for ADU interior conversions, additions, etc Opens a New Window. 

Will my ADU require fire sprinklers?

Although State legislation exempts many ADUs from fire sprinklers, there are other instances where factors may still require the installation of fire sprinklers. Three of these factors are:

1. Distance for fire response and access during emergency operations. Fire sprinklers may be required if any portion of the ADU is greater than 150 feet from Fire Department access (usually the street or road).
2. Distance to fire suppression water supply. Fire sprinklers may be required If any portion of the ADU is greater than 400 feet from a water supply (typically a fire hydrant).
3. ADU over a garage or carport. Fire sprinklers are required throughout a garage or carport with habitable space above. Garage or Carport AND an ADU require sprinklers.

NOTE: There may be additional factors that can require the installation of fire sprinklers.

Please be sure to check with Santa Rosa Fire to determine the need for fire sprinklers. Fire Department personnel are available at Planning & Economic Development on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00AM to 12:00PM.

The Fire Department Plan Review Division can be reached at (707) 543-3524 or srfd@srcity.org

How do I obtain a permit for an existing Accessory Dwelling Unit?

Planning Department staff has prepared an informational handout to guide applicants through the process available HERE. 

If my property is located in one of the City’s historic preservation districts, do I need to apply for a Landmark Alteration Permit?

No, a Landmark Alteration Permit is not required for ADUs or JADUs.  However, through color, materials, and architectural features or a historic resource survey, you will be required to demonstrate that the proposed ADU is consistent with the time period of the residence’s construction and/or the adjacent historic structures. 

Does my property need to be owner occupied? 

The main residence on the site or the ADU are no longer required to be occupied by the property owner.  However, the main residence or JADU are still required to be occupied by the property owner.  Prior to occupancy of an JADU, the property owner is required to file with the County Recorder a deed restriction as out lined in Zoning Code Section 20-42.130(G) Opens a New Window. , which addresses owner occupancy of one of the units on site.

Instructions on processing a deed restriction are available HERE Opens a New Window. .

For more information on the deed restriction, please contact Nicole Rathbun at (707) 543-4472 or nrathbun@srcity.org Opens a New Window. .

Can I rent my ADU or JADU out as a vacation rental unit?

Neither an ADU nor a JADU can be rented for periods of less than 30 days.

Do I need to provide parking for my ADU or JADU?

The following outlines the parking requirements for both ADUs and JADUs:

If I convert my garage to an ADU, will I be required to replace those parking spaces on site?

No replacement off-street parking spaces are required when an ADU is created through the conversion or demolition of a garage, carport or covered parking structure.

What are the development standards (setbacks, height, etc) for an ADU?

The following chart provides general development standards for ADUs.  Please note, setback requirements may vary depending on the property’s zoning district.  The guide to the City’s online mapping resources Opens a New Window.  will help property owners determine their zoning district.  

The development standards for a main residence by zoning district are depicted in Table 2-4 Opens a New Window.  of the Zoning Code. Development standards, including setbacks have been simplified and are included in the current Ordinance. Other site constraints, such as easements may apply.   

Please note that no development standards are applied that would prohibit at least an 800 square foot accessory dwelling unit that is at least 16 feet in height with four-foot side and four-foot rear setbacks to be constructed in compliance with all other local development standards.

Single-Family Zoning District Development Standards for ADUs

Notes: 

(1)   Lot coverage standard cannot be applied if it would prohibit an 800 square foot ADU.

(2)   May not apply in Hillside areas.

(3)  Does not apply in Hillside areas.

Multi-Family Zoning District Development Standards for ADUs

Accessory Dwelling Unit Calculator 

In 2019, the City of Santa Rosa partnered with Sonoma County cities, the County of Sonoma and Napa County to develop a regional Accessory Dwelling Unit calculator. The purpose of this Calculator is to estimate costs, returns and benefits associated with building an ADU. 

Try the ADU Calculator

Napa Sonoma ADU Center 

For more information on ADUs, visit the nonprofit Napa Sonoma ADU Center.