ADU Development Standards

This section includes diagrams and tables showing the development standards for the following types of ADUs. Development standards are established for lots that regulate the placement, design, or size of a building on the lot. Examples include building setbacks, landscaping, building height, site coverage, parking requirements, and more. Click on each link below to view the diagram with the associated development standards:

Single-Family Attached ADU, New Construction

Diagram of Development Standards for Single-Family Attached ADU, New Construction

How dwelling is created

Addition/new construction that is attached or less than 5 feet from main dwelling unit.

Total ADUs allowed

One attached ADU per single-family lot is allowed. No additional ADU or JADU is allowed.

Utility fees and connections

May require a new or separate utility connection, such as an upsized water lateral, if site conditions necessitate to provide minimum levels of utility service.See schematic on water lateral.

Deed restrictions

Property owner must record a deed restriction that prohibits the ADU from being sold separately from the primary dwelling unit and prohibits short-term rentals.View a sample deed restriction here.

Owner occupancy

Not required for ADUs.

Rental Restrictions

Long-term renting of the ADU and the primary dwelling unit are allowed. Short-term renting is not allowed.

Architectural Design

Exterior design must be architecturally compatible with the primary dwelling unit (or structure).Comply with the City’s adopted design guidelines for residential development.

Privacy Requirements

An ADU above the first floor of an accessory structure shall be designed to minimize privacy impacts on neighboring properties. Maximum height 16 feet.

 


Single-Family Detached ADU, New Construction

Download a PDF of development standards for Single-Family Detached ADU, New Construction.

Diagram of Development Standards for ADU in Single-Family Detached, New Construction

How dwelling is created New construction at least 5 feet from main dwelling unit.
Total ADUs allowed One detached ADU and one JADU are permitted per single-family lot.
Utility fees and connections  May require a new or separate utility connection, such as an upsized water lateral, if site conditions necessitate to provide minimum levels of utility service. See schematic on water lateral.
Deed restrictions Property owner must record a deed restriction that prohibits the ADU from being sold separately from the primary dwelling unit and prohibits short-term rentals. View a sample deed restriction here.
Owner occupancy  Not required for ADUs.
Rental Restrictions  Long-term renting of the ADU and the primary dwelling unit are allowed. Short-term renting is not allowed.
Architectural Design Exterior design must be architecturally compatible with the primary dwelling unit (or structure). Comply with the City’s adopted design guidelines for residential development.
Privacy Requirements An ADU above the first floor of an accessory structure shall be designed to minimize privacy impacts on neighboring properties. Maximum height 16 feet.

Single-Family Attached ADU, Conversion of Part of Existing Home or Attached Garage

Download a PDF of development standards for Single-Family Attached ADU, Conversion of Part of Existing Home or Attached Garage.

Diagram of Development Standards for Single-Family Attached ADU, Conversion

How dwelling is created Interior conversion of existing area within a single-family dwelling or attached garage.
Total ADUs allowed When an ADU is created through conversion of part of an existing home or attached garage, one is allowed per single-family lot and an additional detached ADU is not allowed; however, a JADU is also allowed, as long as the home is not expanded more than 150 square feet.
Utility fees and connections  May require a new or separate utility connection, such as an upsized water lateral, if site conditions necessitate to provide minimum levels of utility service. See schematic on water lateral.
Deed restrictions Property owner must record a deed restriction that prohibits the ADU from being sold separately from the primary dwelling unit and prohibits short-term rentals. View a sample deed restriction here.
Owner occupancy  Not required for ADUs.
Rental Restrictions  Long-term renting of the ADU and the primary dwelling unit are allowed. Short-term renting is not allowed.
Architectural Design Exterior design must be architecturally compatible with the primary dwelling unit (or structure). Comply with the City’s adopted design guidelines for residential development.
Privacy Requirements An ADU above the first floor of an accessory structure shall be designed to minimize privacy impacts on neighboring properties. Maximum height 16 feet.

Single-Family Detached ADU, Conversion of All or Part of Existing Accessory Structure

Download a PDF of development standards for Single-Family Detached ADU, Conversion of All or Part of Existing Accessory Structure.

Diagram of Development Standards for Single-Family Dettached ADU, Conversion

How dwelling is created Accessory structure, such as a shed or garage, is converted.
Total ADUs allowed One detached ADU and one JADU are permitted per single-family lot.
Utility fees and connections  May require a new or separate utility connection, such as an upsized water lateral, if site conditions necessitate to provide minimum levels of utility service. See schematic on water lateral.
Deed restrictions Property owner must record a deed restriction that prohibits the ADU from being sold separately from the primary dwelling unit and prohibits short-term rentals. View a sample deed restriction.
Owner occupancy  Not required for ADUs.
Rental Restrictions  Long-term renting of the ADU and the primary dwelling unit are allowed. Short-term renting is not allowed.
Architectural Design Exterior design must be architecturally compatible with the primary dwelling unit (or structure). Comply with the City’s adopted design guidelines for residential development.
Privacy Requirements An ADU above the first floor of an accessory structure shall be designed to minimize privacy impacts on neighboring properties. Maximum height 16 feet.

Multifamily Detached ADU, New Construction

Download a PDF of development standards for Multifamily Detached ADU, New Construction.



How dwelling is created New construction.
Total ADUs allowed Two.
Utility fees and connections  May require a new or separate utility connection, such as an upsized water lateral, if site conditions necessitate to provide minimum levels of utility service. See schematic on water lateral.
Deed restrictions Property owner must record a deed restriction that prohibits the ADU from being sold separately from the primary multifamily structure and prohibits short-term rentals. View a sample deed restriction here.
Owner occupancy  Not required for ADUs.
Rental Restrictions  Long-term renting of the ADU and the multifamily dwelling units are allowed. Short-term renting is not allowed.
Architectural Design Exterior design must be architecturally compatible with the residential structure (or structure). Comply with the City’s adopted design guidelines for residential development.
Privacy Requirements An ADU above the first floor of an accessory structure shall be designed to minimize privacy impacts on neighboring properties. Maximum height 16 feet.

Multifamily Attached ADU, Conversion of Existing Non-Habitable Area of Building

Download a PDF of development standards for Multifamily Attached ADU, Conversion of Existing Non-Habitable Area of Building.

Diagram of Development Standards for Multifamily Attached ADU, Conversion

How dwelling is created Internal conversion of existing non-habitable area of multifamily structure.
Total ADUs allowed At least one unit and no more than 25 percent of the existing unit count in the multifamily structure.
Utility fees and connections  May require a new or separate utility connection, such as an upsized water lateral, if site conditions necessitate to provide minimum levels of utility service. See schematic on water lateral.
Deed restrictions Property owner must record a deed restriction that prohibits the ADU from being sold separately from the primary multifamily structure and prohibits short-term rentals. View a sample deed restriction here.
Owner occupancy  Not required for ADUs.
Rental Restrictions  Long-term renting of the ADU and the multifamily dwelling units are allowed. Short-term renting is not allowed.
Architectural Design Exterior design must be architecturally compatible with the residential structure (or structure). Comply with the City’s adopted design guidelines for residential development.
Privacy Requirements An ADU above the first floor of an accessory structure shall be designed to minimize privacy impacts on neighboring properties. Maximum height 16 feet.

Multifamily Detached ADU, Conversion of Existing Non-Habitable Area of Building

Download a PDF of development standards for Multifamily Detached ADU, Conversion of Existing Non-Habitable Area of Building.

Diagram of Development Standards for Multifamily Detached ADU, Conversion

How dwelling is created Accessory structure, such as a shed or garage, is converted.
Total ADUs allowed Two.
Utility fees and connections  May require a new or separate utility connection, such as an upsized water lateral, if site conditions necessitate to provide minimum levels of utility service. See schematic on water lateral.
Deed restrictions Property owner must record a deed restriction that prohibits the ADU from being sold separately from the primary multifamily structure and prohibits short-term rentals. View a sample deed restriction here.
Owner occupancy  Not required for ADUs.
Rental Restrictions  Long-term renting of the ADU and the multifamily dwelling units are allowed. Short-term renting is not allowed.
Architectural Design Exterior design must be architecturally compatible with the residential structure (or structure). Comply with the City’s adopted design guidelines for residential development.
Privacy Requirements An ADU above the first floor of an accessory structure shall be designed to minimize privacy impacts on neighboring properties. Maximum height 16 feet.

Junior ADU (JADU), Conversion of Part of Existing Home or Attached Garage

Download a PDF of development standards for JADU, Conversion of Part of Existing Home or Attached Garage.

Diagram of Development Standards for Junior ADU

How dwelling is created Interior conversion of existing area within the home or attached garage.
Total ADUs allowed One JADU and either a detached ADU or an ADU created through conversion of part of an existing home or attached garage (as long as the home is not expanded more than 150 square feet) are permitted per single-family lot.
Utility fees and connections  May require a new or separate utility connection, such as an upsized water lateral, if site conditions necessitate to provide minimum levels of utility service.
Deed restrictions Property owner must record a deed restriction that requires the owner to occupy the primary dwelling or the JADU; prohibits the JADU from being sold separately from the primary dwelling unit and prohibits short-term rentals. View a sample deed restriction here.
Owner occupancy  Required in either the primary dwelling or JADU.
Rental Restrictions  Long-term renting of either the JADU or the primary dwelling unit are allowed. Short-term renting is not allowed.
Architectural Design Exterior design must be architecturally compatible with the residential structure (or structure). Comply with the City’s adopted design guidelines for residential development.
Privacy Requirements An ADU above the first floor of an accessory structure shall be designed to minimize privacy impacts on neighboring properties. Maximum height 16 feet.

ADU Navigation Links

Planning Division

City of Rohnert Park Development Services – Planning Division
130 Avram Ave.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Phone: (707) 588-2231
Email: [email protected]


Building Division

City of Rohnert Park Development Services – Building Division
130 Avram Ave.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Phone: (707) 588-2240
Email: [email protected]