Standards & rules
SB 1211 height limits
18 feet maximum for detached ADUs. How that affects two-story designs.
Detached SB 1211 ADUs are capped at 18 feet in height, measured to the highest point of the roof. This effectively limits the typology to one-and-a-half stories or two-story flat-roof designs.
The 18-ft limit is a state floor, not a state ceiling — cities can permit taller ADUs, and several have. But they cannot require less.
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Related standards & rules topics
SB 1211 parking requirementsHow SB 1211 changes parking rules: cities can no longer require 1:1 replacement for parking removed to build ADUs.SB 1211 setback requirementsFour-foot side and rear setbacks. 18-foot height limit. The objective standards explained.Fire code compliance for SB 1211 ADUsThe one local power that survives ministerial review.Utility hookups for multifamily ADUsWater, sewer, gas, electric requirements under SB 1211.Impact fees on SB 1211 ADUsAB 1033 + SB 13 already capped fees on smaller ADUs. SB 1211 inherits those protections.Interior conversion ADUs under SB 1211The 25%-of-units rule and how it stacks with detached ADUs.Converting surface parking under SB 1211The biggest unlock. How to assess your parking lot for ADU potential.ADU design under SB 1211What objective standards mean for layout, placement, and unit mix.
How this topic plays in different cities
SB 1211 in StocktonSan Joaquin County · $1,600/moSB 1211 in Thousand OaksVentura County · $2,700/moSB 1211 in RiversideRiverside County · $1,800/moSB 1211 in GlendaleLos Angeles County · $2,600/moSB 1211 in EscondidoSan Diego County · $2,200/moSB 1211 in El MonteLos Angeles County · $2,200/moSB 1211 in Palo AltoSanta Clara County · $3,300/moSB 1211 in VallejoSolano County · $2,100/moSB 1211 in San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo County · $2,400/moSB 1211 in Simi ValleyVentura County · $2,400/moSB 1211 in WestminsterOrange County · $2,400/moSB 1211 in DowneyLos Angeles County · $2,300/mo
By property type
Duplex2-unit · up to 3 new ADUsTriplex3-unit · up to 4 new ADUsFourplex / 4-unit4-unit · up to 5 new ADUs5-unit apartment5-unit · up to 6 new ADUs6-unit apartment6-unit · up to 7 new ADUs8-unit apartment8-unit · up to 10 new ADUs10-unit apartment10-unit · up to 10 new ADUs12-unit apartment12-unit · up to 11 new ADUs16-unit apartment16-unit · up to 12 new ADUs20-unit apartment20-unit · up to 13 new ADUs24-unit apartment24-unit · up to 14 new ADUs32-unit apartment32-unit · up to 16 new ADUs