Bakersfield regulates ADUs and JADUs in Municipal Code Chapter 17.65 to match California Government Code 66310 through 66342. ADUs are allowed in zones that allow single-family or multifamily residential use with an existing or proposed dwelling.[1]
What is an ADU? An accessory dwelling unit is a small second home on the same lot as the main house: a backyard unit, garage conversion, attached addition or guest house with its own kitchen and bath.
California cities can set their own ADU rules, but never stricter than state law. Grey lines show the state floor from the HCD ADU Handbook.
| Size limits | Detached ADU: up to 1,200 sq ft. Size by bedrooms in the city FAQ: up to 850 sq ft for one bedroom and up to 1,200 sq ft for two bedrooms. Attached ADU: same bedroom caps, and not more than 50% of the existing primary house (and not more than 1,200 sq ft). JADU: up to 500 sq ft inside the single-family home.[1] State law: a city's maximum size must allow at least 850 sq ft, or 1,000 sq ft for more than one bedroom, and local rules cannot block an 800 sq ft ADU with 4 ft side and rear setbacks (Gov. Code 66321).[3] |
|---|---|
| Height | No city-specific figure verified. The state minimum below applies; confirm local details with the city. State law: detached ADUs get at least 16 ft; 18 ft within a half mile walk of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor (plus 2 ft to match roof pitch) or on a lot with a multistory multifamily building; attached ADUs up to 25 ft or the main home's limit if lower (Gov. Code 66321).[3] |
| Setbacks | At least 4 ft side and rear yard setbacks for ADUs.[1] State law: side and rear setbacks can be no more than 4 ft for new ADUs; converted existing space needs no new setback (Gov. Code 66314, 66323).[3] |
| Parking | No city-specific figure verified. The state minimum below applies; confirm local details with the city. State law: at most 1 space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less, and none within a half mile walk of public transit, in a historic district, within one block of a car share, or for ADUs inside the house (Gov. Code 66314, 66322).[3] |
| Owner occupancy | JADUs are allowed in single-family residential zones and require the owner to live in one of the units.[1] State law: no owner occupancy requirement for ADUs (Gov. Code 66315). A JADU requires the owner to live on site if it shares a bathroom with the main home (Gov. Code 66333).[3] |
| Permit steps and timeline | A building permit is required. An ADU built above a garage needs Design Review Approval, which the city FAQ describes as a longer process. The city offers pre-reviewed ADU plans.[1] State law: the city must approve or deny a complete application within 60 days when there is an existing home on the lot (Gov. Code 66317).[3] |
| Fees | No city-specific figure verified. The state minimum below applies; confirm local details with the city. State law: no impact fees on ADUs of 750 sq ft or less; above that, impact fees must be proportional to the size of the main home. Plan check, permit and school fees can still apply.[3] |
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Sources
Every fact above links to an official city or state page. Rules change; check the source before you build.
- [1] City of Bakersfield: ADU Frequently Asked Questions checked Oct 2026
- [2] Bakersfield Municipal Code Ch. 17.65 (ADU and JADU) checked Oct 2026
- [3] HCD ADU Handbook (March 2026) checked Oct 2026