Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are attached or detached accessory dwellings that are accessory to primary Residential Facilities located on the same lot and provide complete independent facilities for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.

SPECIAL NOTICE: New Changes to ADU Requirements in 2024

On June 18, 2024, City Council adopted an ordinance amending the ADU regulations within the Planning Code to be consistent with new changes in State Law. Overall, the changes included updates to design standards on unit mixture, size and height limitations, setbacks, ingress/egress, and parking requirements to be consistent with State Law; updates to definitions; and updates to the provisions in the ADU amnesty program. Revised applications will be available early July.

Apply Now

Select from the following to apply for your ADU today!

Pre-Approved ADU Plans

The City of Oakland now offers "off-the-shelf" pre-approved ADU building plans to be used on properties with Single-Family, Two-Family or Multi-Family homes. These permit-ready plans are complete sets of construction drawings that conform to the latest codes. Review the sample plans and apply today!

Types of ADUs

Here are the new categories of ADUs under California state law:

SINGLE-FAMILY ADUs:

  • JUNIOR ADU (JADU): Involves conversion of space within the building envelope of an existing or proposed One-Family Residential Facility, resulting in a living unit of not more than 500 sq. ft., requiring owner-occupancy in the JADU or primary dwelling unit.
  • CATEGORY ONE ADU: Involves either conversion of space within an existing One-Family Residential Facility, or conversion or rebuild of an existing accessory structure; includes no expansion of the existing building envelope other than up to 150 sq. ft. for purposes of accommodating ADU access and egress only.
  • CATEGORY TWO ADU: Involves construction of a new detached or attached accessory structure, including an exterior addition to an existing or proposed One-Family Residential Facility to accommodate the ADU.

TWO- OR MULTI-FAMILY ADUs*:

  • CATEGORY ONE ADU: Conversion of existing non-habitable space located within portions of an existing Two-Family or Multi-Family Residential Facilities, such as storage rooms, boiler rooms, passageways, attics, basements or garages.
  • CATEGORY TWO ADU: Construction of new detached structure(s) or conversion or rebuild of existing detached structure(s) on lots with an existing Two-Family or Multi-Family Residential Facility. Conversion or rebuild of existing detached accessory structure(s) involves no expansion of the existing building envelope(s).
  • CATEGORY THREE ADU: Construction of a new or conversion of an existing accessory structure attached to a primary Multifamily Residential Facility for the purpose of creating only one ADU on the lot. This type of ADU precludes the creation of any other ADU types on the lot.

* Change of Occupancy regulations for the California Existing Building Code (CEBC) may apply when adding ADUs.

Reports, Guides & Tools

Review the most recent planning code changes, read our ADU report, and check out our guides and resources. 

State & Local Codes

Learn more about relevant state and local code requirements for ADUs.

About

Banner photo credit: Valley Home Development Corp. & Prefab ADU

To help expand housing options for Oakland residents, the City is streamlining the process for property owners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on their lots. As of January 1, 2020, state and local laws surrounding ADUs have changed.


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