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Local ADU Rules

City of American Canyon

Last Updated August 26, 2024

ADU Contact:

Brent Cooper, bcooper@cityofamericancanyon.org

Taresa Geilfuss, tgeilfuss@cityofamericancanyon.org

Tom Trimberger, ttrimberger@interwestgrp.com

William He, whe@cityofamericancanyon.org

Disclaimer: standards and process may vary. Consultation with the contact is recommended before starting any project.

Standards	Details
Zones allowed	All single-family residential zones: RS-6500, RS-8000, RR-10,000, RR-20,000, SP1-SF, RE (ADUs by-right).
Lot Restrictions
Minimum Lot Size	None
Min/Max ADU Size	Detached: Maximum of 1,200 square feet Attached: Maximum of 50 percent of the existing living area with a maximum increase of 1,200 square feet JADUs: Maximum of 500 square feet
ADU Building Height	Detached: Generally limited to 16 feet. If an ADU is within one-half mile of a major transit stop or a high quality transit corridor it may be built up to 18 feet, or up to 20 feet to align the roof pitches of the ADU and the primary dwelling unit. A detached ADU may be built up to 18 feet if it is created on a lot with an existing or proposed multifamily dwelling unit with more than one story. Attached: Limited to 25 feet, or the height limit of the underlying zoning.
Setbacks	Side and Rear: 4’, or determined by underlying zoning. Front: Determined by underlying zoning. Existing setbacks apply to the conversion of existing structures.
Parking Requirements	At least one on-site parking space unless the ADU: is a JADU. is an attached ADU. is within an existing structure. is within ½ mile walking distance of public transit or within a block of a car-sharing pickup/drop-off location. is within an architecturally and historically significant district. or if on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupant of the ADU.
Owner Occupancy	No owner occupancy required until Jan 1, 2025.
Sample fees from recent permits	480 SF Detached ADU New Construction Total: $5,812 *Fees are specific to each project and will vary. Fees change regularly. These are provided as examples only.
Other requirements	All ADUs that increase living space by 500 square feet or more are subject to NVUSD school facility fees.
Process	ADUs in single-family residential zones require a building permit prior to construction.
Exceptions	None.

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