Chula Vista permits ADUs and JADUs where single-family or multifamily residential use is allowed, and points to California Government Code 66314 through 66323 for the governing standards. The city also publishes City Standard (SnapADU) plans for faster review.[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 | On a single-family lot: detached ADU up to 1,200 sq ft; converted or attached ADU up to 50% of the primary home or 800 sq ft, whichever is greater; JADU up to 500 sq ft. A single-family lot may have one new detached ADU, one converted or attached ADU (not both), and one JADU.[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).[2] |
|---|---|
| Height | Detached: 16 ft, or 18 ft within a half mile of transit, plus 2 ft (20 ft) to match the primary roof pitch when the 18 ft limit applies. Attached: 25 ft or the primary structure max height, whichever is less. Converted: no height maximum.[1] 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).[2] |
| Setbacks | 4 ft from side and rear property lines. No required separation from other structures (confirm fire wall ratings with Building). Front yard encroachment only if an 800 sq ft ADU cannot fit with side and rear setbacks alone.[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).[2] |
| Parking | No parking required.[1] 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).[2] |
| Owner occupancy | No owner occupancy for an ADU. A JADU requires owner occupancy with a deed restriction.[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).[2] |
| Permit steps and timeline | City Standard ADU plan applications are reviewed in 14 business days (21 for a full custom submittal). Plan review fees are about $1,000 less than a full submittal when using a City Standard plan.[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).[2] |
| Fees | ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from development impact and in-lieu fees; 750 sq ft and above pay proportionally. School fees and building permit fees are separate. Confirm current amounts with Development Services and the school districts.[1] 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.[2] |
We connect you with builders from this directory who serve your area. Free, no obligation.
Sources
Every fact above links to an official city or state page. Rules change; check the source before you build.
- [1] City of Chula Vista: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) checked Oct 2026
- [2] HCD ADU Handbook (March 2026) checked Oct 2026