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Discover what you can build in the City of Santa Clarita. This city guide covers essential ADU regulations and zoning laws to help you navigate the process and make informed decisions for your property.
The City of Santa Clarita allows homeowners to build one ADU on their property. If the property is owner-occupied, you can also build a JADU within the existing property, bringing the total number of accessory units to a maximum of two.
Multifamily property in Santa Clarita can be permitted for up to two detached ADUs. Owners can convert existing unlivable space into at least one ADU, with more ADUs up to a number of 25% of the existing units. Therefore, an 8-unit building can have up to two conversion ADUs built on the property; four units, up to one.
A one-bedroom detached ADU can be a maximum of 850 square feet in Santa Clarita, or up to 50% of the size of the main dwelling unit, whichever is smaller. A two-bedroom detached ADU can be a maximum of 850 square feet in Santa Clarita, or up to 50% of the size of the main dwelling unit, whichever is smaller.
A one-bedroom attached ADU can be a maximum of 850 square feet in Santa Clarita, or up to 50% of the size of the main dwelling unit, whichever is smaller. A two-bedroom attached ADU can be a maximum of 850 square feet in Santa Clarita, or up to 50% of the size of the main dwelling unit, whichever is smaller.
In Santa Clarita, a detached ADU must be a maximum of 16 feet high unless granted a special exemption by the city. An attached ADU can rise to the height of the main structure, up to a maximum of 25 feet.
Two-story ADUs can be permitted in Santa Clarita, but they must follow height requirements. Without a special exemption, detached ADUs are usually limited to 16 feet. 16 feet is usually too low for two-story buildings, which typically require at least 18 feet.
However, attached ADUs can be permitted to a hight up to the height of the main house, capped at 25 feet. If you build an ADU attached to a house 18-25 feet high, it is relatively easy to permit and design that ADU for two stories.
It is difficult to build “stacked” ADUs (a two-story structure with one ADU on each floor) in Santa Clarita. Residential property can only be permitted for one ADU, meaning a second ADU to stack on top of the first one will not be permitted. Multifamily property can be permitted for up to two detached ADUs, but the standard height limitation of 16 feet for detached ADUs usually makes a two-story structure infeasible.
Residential property can only be permitted for one ADU, so you will probably not be permitted for two ADUs, attached to each other or otherwise. However, multifamily property can be permitted for up to two detached ADUs, and it is possible to design those two ADUs to be attached to each other within one new structure.
No, a JADU is defined as a small ADU converted from existing space within the main structure of the primary dwelling unit. As such, it cannot be attached to an ADU.
Generally roof decks would be permitted on an ADU, but must meet the height restrictions for the zone. Roof decks cannot encroach into the required setbacks. As a rule of thumb, railings and access staircases above 42″ need to be included in height calculations.
Santa Clarita makes no mention of specific requirements for the exterior of the ADU. However, general guidance is that the exterior roofing, trim, walls, windows and the color palette of the ADU shall incorporate the same features as the primary dwelling unit.
A detached ADU in Santa Clarita requires a minimum four-foot side and rear setback. Front setbacks depend on your specific neighborhood and street.
Los Angeles County rules stipulate a minimum separation of 6 feet between structures within a lot, so your detached ADU must be a minimum of 6 feet from the main house and any other structures.
Usually an ADU will not be permitted for the front yard of a home in Santa Clarita.
You do not have to submit plans in person for your ADU. You can submit your plans through the city’s eServices portal, accessible here.
A soils report is required for any new structure of 1,000 square feet or longer. Since many ADUs are less than 1,000 square feet, a soils report may not be required. However, known geotechnical hazards may prompt the city to request a soils report. Examples include:
Landscaping must maintain neighborhood aesthetics. Typically, at least 30% of the lot must be maintained as green space. At least 40% of hardscaping must be permeable.
To start the plan check process, you’ll need to submit your ADU plans to the city’s Building & Safety Division. This usually means going online to their website or visiting their office. You’ll likely need to pay a fee when you submit your plans, but this varies.
The length of the plan check depends. It can take anywhere from eight to twelve weeks to get your plans approved as they move from one department to the next. This can depend on how busy the city is, if your plans have any issues, and how many corrections you may have to make.
Santa Clarita requires that you add one new parking space to your property per ADU. However, several exemptions have been put in place to make it easier to add an ADU. You need not add parking when any of the following apply:
If more parking must be added, it can be placed within the required setbacks. Tandem parking is allowed, unless otherwise restricted by special rules.
Most newly constructed ADUs must comply with California Title 24 Building and Energy Efficiency Standards. If you submitted your permit application later than January 1, 2020, this means you must provide solar panels on new ADUs to offset their reliance on the grid. This does not necessarily mean the solar panels need to be installed on the ADU itself. They can be installed on the primary dwelling unit or a new or existing array.
Some exemptions may apply to certain ADUs. Possible exemptions include:
No, a separate electric and water meter is not required for an ADU. However, you may request one from the city.
Not necessarily. An ADU can be permitted under the existing address. If you want your ADU to have its own address, you can apply to the Mapping and Property Management Division (MPM) for a “½” address designation. In other words, if your address is 1234 Elm Street, your ADU could have a separate address of “1234½ Elm Street.”
Low Impact Development (LID) is an approach to land development or redevelopment that seeks to preserve and conserve onsite water quality and natural features, with minimal detrimental effect to local waterways and ecosystems. The City of Santa Clarita may require LID fees for larger ADUs.
Operating an ADU as an Airbnb or short-term rental is prohibited by the City of Santa Clarita.
Santa Clarita has no local rent control ordinance. California AB 1482 limits rent increases to 5% plus the inflation rate to a maximum of 10%, but new construction, single-family homes not owned by corporations, and owner-occupied duplexes are exempt.
You can use gas appliances in an ADU in the City of Santa Clarita as long as all building codes, safety standards, and installation guidelines are adhered to. The proper permits must be obtained, and requirements for safety and ventilation observed.
You are not required to put fire sprinklers in your ADU if the main dwelling unit is not required by law to have fire sprinklers.