ADU Building, Zoning, and Design Regulations for Fremont, CA
Fremont is a great place to build an ADU and allows you to add significant value to your property, following recent updates to California’s ADU laws. Before you start building, make sure you understand Fremont’s special use regulations for accessory dwelling units.
Fremont ADU Zoning Requirements
Zoning Regulations:
- On lots with one single family residence, one junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU) and one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) are permitted.
Location Requirements for ADUs in Fremont
- ADUs may be attached to, or located within, a proposed or existing primary dwelling, including attached garages, storage areas or similar uses, or an accessory structure.
- ADUs may be detached from the proposed or existing primary dwelling.
- A minimum setback of four feet from side and rear lot lines shall be required for an ADU which involves the construction of new floor area.
- The minimum front yard setback requirements of the underlying zoning district shall apply to an ADU which involves the construction of new floor area, unless the ADU is subject to the limited standards provided by the City of Fremont.
- Attached ADUs may not exceed the one- and two-story building height limits applicable to the principal residence or 16 feet in height, whichever is greater.
- The ADU shall not be placed over any easements.
Maximum ADU Size for Single-Family Properties
Maximum Area:
- The total floor area of an ADU shall be no less than 150 square feet.
- Attached ADUs are limited in size to 50% of the floor area of the primary residence except that the maximum size allowable shall be no less than 850 square feet for a studio or one-bedroom ADU or 1,000 square feet for an ADU with two-bedrooms or more.
- ADUs are limited in size to 1,000 square feet on lots smaller than 10,000 square feet and 1,200 square feet on lots that are 10,000 square feet or larger.
- Any attached or detached ADU under 800 square feet in area is not subject to lot coverage requirements. Any ADU over 800 square feet must comply with the lot coverage requirements of the underlying zoning district (typically 40% maximum lot coverage).
Maximum ADU Height Requirements in Pacifica, CA
Maximum Height:
- New detached ADUs are limited to 16 feet in height.
- Attached ADUs may not exceed the one- and two-story building height limits applicable to the principal residence or 16 feet in height, whichever is greater.
Occupancy and Rental Considerations in Fremont
- A property owner may rent out both an ADU and the primary residence if the ADU was permitted between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2024. ADUs permitted prior to this period are still required to have the owner live in either the ADU or the primary residence.
- An ADU or JADU may not be rented for a term of less than 30 days.
Parking Requirements for ADUs in Fremont
In Fremont, one parking space is required for an ADU.
No additional parking is required if:
- Located within the Mission San Jose or Bryant Street Conservation Areas, or on a property that includes a historic register resource or potential historic register resource
- The property is within 0.5 miles of a public transit stop, including BART stations, the ACE Station in Centerville, and bust stops
- Located entirely within the existing main residence and adds no habitable floor space to the property
- Created through the conversion of a garage, carport, or covered parking structure
- When on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupant of an ADU
- The property is within one block of a car-share vehicle
- The ADU is a studio unit (or a unit without a bedroom)
Custom ADU Builder in Fremont
Over the years, we have worked throughout the greater Silicon Valley area, installing ADUs and backyard structures in San Jose, Pacifica, and Cupertino.
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