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Can I build an ADU in Carpinteria, California?

Carpinteria, Santa Barbara County · Ordinances checked 2026-10-05 · Reviewed · 13 cited sections

Allowed with a permit

Yes. Carpinteria allows one ADU plus one junior ADU on a lot in any zone that allows homes, approved through a coastal development permit without a hearing plus a building permit (lots in the Sandyland Road beach overlay may get discretionary review). On lots under 15,000 sq ft a detached ADU can be up to 850 sq ft (1,000 sq ft with two or more bedrooms), with 4-foot side and rear setbacks.

Number allowed1 ADU and/or 1 junior ADU per lot, plus the main house [1]
ApprovalCoastal development permit without public hearing + building permit (appealable CDP in Coastal Commission appeals area) [8]
Detached ADU max size (lots under 15,000 sq ft)850 sq ft (studio/1-bed); 1,000 sq ft (2+ bedrooms) [4]
Attached ADU max size50% of the existing house, up to 800 sq ft [3]
Junior ADU max size500 sq ft [5]
Side and rear setbacks (new ADU)4 feet (3-foot side yards in 4-R-1) [6]
HeightGreater of the main house's height/stories or 16 feet [7]
ParkingUp to 1 uncovered space per unit or bedroom, unless exempt (e.g. within 1/2 mile of transit) [11]
Short-term rentalNot allowed; rentals must be 31+ consecutive days [10]
City decision deadline60 days from a complete application [9]

Where and how many

One ADU and/or one junior ADU (JADU) is allowed on a lot in addition to the main house [1]. A "special ADU" path allows a JADU plus a new detached ADU of up to 800 sq ft and 16 feet with 4-foot setbacks [13]. In the beach neighborhood overlay district along Sandyland Road, ADUs may get discretionary review because of flooding and sea-level-rise hazards [2]. State law requires coastal ADU permits to be decided within 60 days without a hearing, so it may limit that review. Starting January 1, 2027, state law (AB 956) will require cities to allow two new detached ADUs on a single-family lot; the city's 2023 chapter predates that.

Size, height and setbacks

An attached ADU can't exceed 50% of the existing house's floor area or 800 sq ft [3]; state law's 850 sq ft floor for size caps may override the 800 sq ft limit. On lots up to 14,999 sq ft, a detached ADU can be 850 sq ft (studio or one bedroom) or 1,000 sq ft (two or more bedrooms) [4]. A converted ADU inside existing space has no size cap, and a JADU is limited to 500 sq ft [5]. New ADUs need 4-foot side and rear setbacks (3-foot side yards in 4-R-1) and the base zone's front setback; converting existing floor area needs no setback [6]. Height is limited to the greater of the main house's height or stories, or 16 feet [7].

Approval and timing

Every ADU or JADU needs a coastal development permit without a public hearing plus a building permit, or an appealable coastal permit in the Coastal Commission appeals area [8]. The city must act within 60 days of a complete application, except where it requires discretionary review in the beach overlay [9]. Before the building permit, you record a deed restriction and agreement covering sale, rental and occupancy terms.

Rentals and owner occupancy

The ADU can't be sold separately and can't be rented short-term or for less than 31 consecutive days [10]. The code says an owner-occupancy (principal residence) requirement applies to ADU permits issued after January 1, 2025 [12]. The clause defers to state law, which bars owner-occupancy rules for ADUs, so state law may override it. Owner occupancy can still apply where there is a JADU.

Parking

Where parking is required, it's one uncovered space per unit or bedroom, whichever is less, and it can be tandem in the driveway [11]. No parking is needed for a JADU, and converted garage spaces needn't be replaced. Outside the beach overlay, no parking is needed for ADUs within half a mile of transit, in Old Town or inside existing space. State law bars ADU parking requirements within half a mile of transit, so it may override the overlay's parking rule.

See how Carpinteria compares with 8+ other California towns on accessory dwelling units (adus) →

Next steps

  1. Check whether your lot is in the ADU beach neighborhood overlay district or the Coastal Commission appeals area; both change the review path.
  2. Review the city's ADU program page and prototype plans, then contact Community Development Planning, 5775 Carpinteria Ave, (805) 684-5405.
  3. Submit an application for an administrative coastal development permit and a building permit, with plans showing size, height, setbacks and parking.
  4. Get sewer and water clearances from the Carpinteria Sanitary District and Carpinteria Valley Water District.
  5. Sign and record the city's deed restriction/agreement before the building permit is issued.

Common questions

Can I build an ADU in Carpinteria, California?
Yes. Carpinteria allows one ADU and/or one junior ADU on a lot in any zone that allows homes, approved through a coastal development permit without a public hearing plus a building permit. Lots in the Sandyland Road beach overlay may get discretionary review.
How big can an ADU be in Carpinteria, California?
On lots under 15,000 sq ft, a detached ADU can be 850 sq ft (studio or one bedroom) or 1,000 sq ft (two or more bedrooms). An attached ADU can't exceed 50% of the house or 800 sq ft, though state law may override that limit, and a JADU is limited to 500 sq ft.
What are the ADU setbacks and height limits in Carpinteria, California?
New ADUs need 4-foot side and rear setbacks (3-foot side yards in 4-R-1) and the zone's front setback; conversions of existing floor area need none. Height is limited to the greater of the main house's height or stories, or 16 feet.
Can I rent my ADU short term in Carpinteria, California?
No. An ADU can't be rented short-term or for less than 31 consecutive days, and it can't be sold separately.
Do I need parking for an ADU in Carpinteria, California?
It depends. Where required, it's one uncovered space per unit or bedroom, whichever is less, and it can be tandem. No parking is needed for a JADU, and outside the beach overlay none is needed within half a mile of transit, in Old Town or inside existing space.

California's statewide ADU law

California's ADU law (Gov. Code §§66310–66342, recodified from §65852.2; latest amendments effective January 1, 2026) overrides conflicting city rules, including in charter cities. Cities must approve ADUs ministerially (no hearing) within 60 days of a complete application, or the permit is deemed approved.

What cities cannot require or do:

  • Owner-occupancy for an ADU.
  • A minimum lot size.
  • Side or rear setbacks over 4 feet for a new ADU, or any setback for a converted existing structure.
  • Size, lot coverage or floor-area rules that block an ADU of at least 800 sq ft. Size caps can't be under 850 sq ft (1,000 for 2+ bedrooms).
  • Parking within half a mile walking distance of public transit, or replacement parking for a garage converted to an ADU.
  • Impact fees on ADUs of 750 sq ft or less.

By right on a single-family lot: one converted ADU plus one junior ADU (JADU, up to 500 sq ft inside the house), plus one new detached ADU (up to 800 sq ft, 16 ft tall). Owner-occupancy may be required only for a JADU that shares a bathroom.

Short-term rentals: cities may bar ADU rentals under 30 days, and must for by-right ADUs, JADUs and SB 9 units.

Coming January 1, 2027: AB 956 raises the by-right count to two new detached ADUs per single-family lot.

SB 9 (§§65852.21, 66411.7) allows two homes on a single-family lot, or a split into two lots of at least 1,200 sq ft (with a 3-year owner-occupancy affidavit).

State sources: Gov. Code §66314 (ADU ordinance standards) · Gov. Code §66315 (no owner-occupancy requirement) · Gov. Code §66317 (ministerial review, 60-day deadline) · Gov. Code §66321 (size, setback and height limits on local rules) · Gov. Code §66322 (parking exemptions) · Gov. Code §66323 (by-right ADUs and JADUs) · Gov. Code §66333 (junior ADUs) · Gov. Code §66311.5 (impact fees) · AB 956 (2026), Stats. 2026, ch. 791 · Gov. Code §65852.21 (SB 9 two-unit projects) · Gov. Code §66411.7 (SB 9 urban lot splits) · HCD, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU Handbook, updated March 2026)

What the ordinance says

Exact text from Carpinteria's published ordinances. Section numbers are as printed in the source.

  1. Sec. 14.72.035(A), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.72 Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, p. 1
    One accessory dwelling unit and/or one junior accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted on a lot in addition to the primary residential unit, pursuant to this chapter.
  2. Sec. 14.72.030(C)(1), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.72 Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, p. 1
    Based on the final sea level rise vulnerability assessment and adaption plan identification of flooding hazards in the beach neighborhood overlay district and city local coastal plan objective S-4, proposed accessory dwelling units in the beach neighborhood overlay district, as defined in the ADU beach overlay district zoning map, shall be subject to discretionary review, as determined necessary by the community development director, or a director-appointed designee, to address and mitigate identified coastal hazards, including flooding, and coastal resource policy issues that address coastal access, in order to avoid risks to public safety associated with loss of life, property, and social dislocations.
  3. Sec. 14.72.055(B)(1), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.72 Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, p. 1
    An accessory dwelling unit that is attached to, and increasing the size of, the primary residential unit shall not exceed fifty percent of the existing floor area of the existing primary residential unit, and shall not exceed a maximum floor area of eight hundred square feet.
  4. Sec. 14.72.055(B)(3)(a), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.72 Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, p. 1
    Lots up to fourteen thousand nine hundred ninety-nine square feet: i. One-bedroom or studio units: Eight hundred fifty square feet. ii. Two or more-bedroom units: One thousand square feet.
  5. Sec. 14.72.055(B)(4), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.72 Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, p. 1
    The maximum floor area of a junior accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed five hundred square feet.
  6. Sec. 14.72.055(E)(1)(b), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.72 Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, p. 1
    Side and rear setback: Four feet in all zones except 4-R-1, which must maintain a minimum three feet of distance in the side yards.
  7. Sec. 14.72.060(C), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.72 Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, p. 1
    An accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed the following, whichever is greater: 1. Height of the primary residential unit; 2. Number of stories of the primary residential unit; or 3. Sixteen feet.
  8. Sec. 14.72.100, Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.72 Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, p. 1
    All accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units shall comply with applicable state and local building codes and shall require approval of either a coastal development permit without public hearing and a building permit, or an appealable coastal development permit and a building permit for units located within the zones governed by the California Coastal Commission Appeals Jurisdiction.
  9. Sec. 14.72.100(C), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.72 Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, p. 1
    Except for applications to create an accessory dwelling unit or a junior accessory dwelling unit in the beach neighborhood overlay district, where the city determines that discretionary review is required, the city shall act on the application to create an accessory dwelling unit or a junior accessory dwelling unit within sixty days from the date a complete application is submitted, if an existing primary residence or multifamily dwelling exists on the lot and the proposed accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit conforms to all applicable objective development standards of this chapter.
  10. Sec. 14.72.040(C), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.72 Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, p. 1
    The accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit shall not be rented as a short-term rental, as defined in Section 14.08.562 or for less than thirty-one consecutive days, whichever is more restrictive.
  11. Sec. 14.72.080(D)(3) (heading printed as 14.73.080), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.72 Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, p. 1
    A minimum of one uncovered automobile parking space per unit or bedroom, whichever is less. Guest parking shall not be required for accessory dwelling units in any circumstance.
  12. Sec. 14.72.040(D)(1), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.72 Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, p. 1
    The property owner's principal place of residency requirement shall apply to, an accessory dwelling unit permit issued after January 1, 2025, unless otherwise prohibited under state law, or upon repeal of Government Code Section 65852.2(a)(6)(B) removing the state-imposed prohibition of an owner occupancy requirement, whichever occurs first.
  13. Sec. 14.72.090(C)(1)-(3), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.72 Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, p. 1
    Maximum unit size. The maximum unit size of a special accessory dwelling unit shall be eight hundred square feet.
This page summarizes Carpinteria's posted ordinances as of 2026-10-05. Ordinances are amended, and individual lots can have overlays, subdivision covenants, or HOA rules that are stricter. Confirm with City of Carpinteria Community Development Department (Code Compliance / Building & Safety), 5775 Carpinteria Avenue ((805) 684-5405) before you build. Spot an error?