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Local ADU Rules

Sausalito

Last Updated May 21, 2025

ADU Contact:

Community Development Department cdd@sausalito.gov

Standards	Details
Zones allowed	All residential and commercial zones with limited exceptions.
Lot Restrictions
Minimum Lot Size	None.
Min/Max ADU Size	Minimum: 150 square feet Maximum: 850 square feet for studio/one bedroom 1000 square feet for two bedroom 1200 square feet or 50% of the existing or remaining habitable floor space of the primary dwelling, whichever is less JADUs Maximum: 500 square feet The city is not able to restrict the number of bedrooms in an ADU. One ADU and one JADU allowed on each single-family property. Up to two detached ADUs may be allowed on a parcel with an existing multifamily dwelling structure, provided that the height does not exceed 16 feet and that 4-foot side and rear yard setbacks are maintained.
ADU Building Height	Up to 16 feet if detached and if attached shall comply with the height requirements of the primary dwelling unit.
Setbacks	None for conversions of existing living area or structure and 4-foot front and rear setbacks for new construction as per state law. Side and rear setbacks must meet fire safety requirements.
Parking Requirements	One parking space per ADU unless 1) within ½ mile of transit, historic district or car share, 2) created by converting or demolishing garage or carport or 3) an interior ADU.
Owner Occupancy	Currently not required for ADU or primary residence. For ADU applications received after January 1, 2025, in a single family residential zoning district the owner of the property shall occupy either the primary unit or ADU as his or her primary residence. For JADU, property owners must occupy either the primary dwelling unit or the JADU. An owner may be absent from the primary unit or ADU for up to 12 months during any 36-month period. Owners-occupancy shall not be required if the owner is a governmental agency, land trust, or housing organization.
Sample fees from recent permits	Building Permit Fee: $1840 Mechanical Permit Fee: $75 Electrical Permit Fee: $75 Plumbing Permit Fee: $75 Plan Check: $1196 SMFD Review: $402 Plan Storage: $7 State Surcharge: $12 CA Seismic Tax, Residential: $36.40 Construction Traffic Road Fee: $2,380.00 *Fees are specific to each project and will vary. Fees change regularly. These are provided as examples only.
Other requirements	A deed restriction must be filed that includes ADU or JADU shall not be sold separate from primary dwelling unit. However, a JADU may be sold separately if its owned by a governmental agency, land trust, or housing organization. A JADU on a property must be deed restricted so that it shall not be rented for fewer than 30 consecutive calendar days. ATTACHED and DETACHED ADUs Access Shall have a separate entrance from the primary dwelling unit. An entrance leading to a foyer with entrances leading from the foyer to the primary dwelling unit and the accessory dwelling unit is permitted and constitutes a separate entrance. Kitchen/Bathroom Shall contain its own kitchen facility and bathroom facility separate from the primary dwelling unit. Kitchen must have: a sink; a refrigerator of more than five cubic feet capacity; and a range or fixed cooktop. Fire sprinklers are needed if required for primary residence. Floor Area, Building Coverage, Impervious Surfaces and Density a.Construction of a new attached or detached ADU shall conform with the floor area, coverage, and impervious surface regulations applicable to the primary dwelling unit parcel upon which the unit is located, unless in conflict with other provisions of ADU standards b.For the purpose of complying with the development standards for dwelling units in two-family and multiple-family residential zoning districts, an ADU shall be treated as a separate unit and shall not be calculated as part of the primary dwelling unit on the lot c.Pursuant to State law, a lawfully created ADU shall not be deemed to be an accessory use or an accessory building, shall not be considered when calculating the allowable density for the lot upon which it is located, and it is deemed to be residential use that is consistent with the general plan and zoning designations for the lot d.Limits on lot coverage, floor area ratio, open space, and size shall be waived if necessary to allow an 800 square feet detached or attached ADU with 16 feet high with 4 foot side and rear yard setbacks, provided that the proposed ADU is in compliance with all other development standards, including but not limited to front yard setbacks Design Shall have a roof slope, window arrangement siding materials, colors and architectural style that are closely resemble the primary dwelling unit Shall have a roof slope, window arrangement, siding materials, colors and architectural style that are the same as that of the primary dwelling unit. Views Shall not block or obstruct primary views from neighboring properties Privacy Shall be designed so that its exterior windows, decks, and doors are not directly opposite the exterior living areas of adjoining properties and do not overlap windows or doors to interior living areas of adjoining properties Light and Shadows Shall be designed such that the incremental light/shadow impact created by the ADU does not impact more than 25% of an adjacent parcel more than 30 days per year. If there is potential for light/shadow impacts exceeding this standard, as determined by staff, a shadow study may be required to determine that light/shadow impacts do not exceed the above standard JADUs Access Shall have a separate entrance from the main entrance to the single family dwelling. Kitchen Shall include an efficiency kitchen, which shall include cooking appliances and a food preparation counter and storage cabinets that are of reasonable size in relation to the JADU. Utilities and Impact Fees Shall be exempt from any requirements to install a new or separate utility connection and to pay any associated connection or capacity fees or charge. No impact fees may be imposed.
Process	Complete applications reviewed by City within 120 days. Planning and building permit required. Disclaimer: standards and process may vary. Consultation with the contact is recommended before starting any project.
Exceptions	ADUs An application for an ADU that does not meet all of the requirements shall be considered through the conditional use permit process if the accessory dwelling unit means one or more of the following exceptions: a.Floor Area, Building Coverage, and Impervious surfaces 1.Floor Area. Floor area on the primary dwelling unit parcel exceeds the applicable regulations up to 10% of the primary dwelling unit parcel up to a maximum of 500 sq. ft. 2.Building Coverage: Building coverage on the primary dwelling unit parcel exceeds the applicable regulations up to 5% of the maximum available building coverage on the primary dwelling unit parcel 3.Impervious Surfaces: Allowable impervious surfaces on a primary dwelling unit parcel exceed the applicable regulations up to 5% of the maximum allowable impervious surfaces on the primary dwelling unit parcel b.Side Yard Setbacks; Required side yard setbacks maintain a minimum setback of 3 feet c.Height: Height exceeds the 16-foot height limit for detached units. d.Design Regulations: Roof slope, window arrangement, siding materials, colors, and architectural style is not the same as the primary dwelling unit e.Views: Standards are not met f.Lights/Shadows: Standards are not met g.Privacy: Standards are not met h.Parking requirements are not met. For properties outside the required off-street parking area, if the property owner elects to not accommodate the parking requirement, the property owner records a deed restriction establishing the ADU as an affordable rental unit. The property owner shall select the level of affordable rent and associated period of the deed restriction: (10 years: very low rent; 15 years: low rent). If the ADU is converted, the deed restriction shall be rescinded.

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