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Oceanside Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Information
Welcome to the City of Oceanside’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) resource page. The information on this page is intended to help Oceanside residents understand zoning regulations, building codes, and the process for constructing an ADU in the City of Oceanside.
The City Council adopted a revised ADU Ordinance on February 23, 2022 in response to the ADU legislation enacted by the State. The ADU Ordinance is located in Article 30, Section 3006 of the Zoning Ordinance and also available at the following links:
Key Provisions of ADU Ordinance
The State legislature enacted ADU legislation to further reduce the regulatory barriers and costs and streamline approval of ADUs. The following are the key changes to the ADU Ordinance as mandated by Government Code Section 65852.2:
- An 850 square foot ADU (studio/one bedroom) or a 1,000 square-foot ADU (two bedroom or more), either attached or detached from the primary dwelling, with a maximum height of 16 feet and four-foot side and rear setbacks shall be permitted in any circumstance subject to compliance with all building codes. No lot coverage requirement shall apply.
- A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) (Government Code 65852.22) shall be allowed within the space of an existing/proposed primary dwelling. State law requires the property owner to live on the premises. A JADU shall meet the following requirements:
- Unit shall not exceed 500 square feet.
- Unit shall have an efficiency kitchen with cooking facility and appliances, a food preparation counter, and storage cabinets.
- Unit may include a separate sanitation facility or share the sanitation facilities with the existing dwelling.
- Unit shall include exterior access from the primary dwelling.
- No parking space is required.
- Requires the recordation of a deed restriction prohibiting the separate sale of the unit and restricting the size and attributes.
- JADU & ADU Combination: A JADU may also be established in the primary dwelling in combination with a detached ADU, that is either; 1) an ADU within the walls of a primary dwelling, 2) an ADU within an existing accessory structure, or 3) an attached or detached, new construction ADU subject to the Statewide Exemption ADU provisions as prescribed in Section 3006.D.1.d. of the Zoning Ordinance. State law requires the property owner to live on the premises.
Multi-family Provisions
(Only applies to existing multi-family development):
- An existing multi-family dwelling shall allow the construction of at least one ADU or up to 25 percent of the existing units in non-livable space, including, but not limited to, storage rooms, garages, passageways, attics, basements, or closets. The existing livable space of a unit shall not be converted into an ADU. In addition;
- Not more than two detached ADUs with a maximum size of 850 square-feet, or 1,000 square-feet with more than one bedroom, and a maximum height of 16 feet and four-foot side and rear setbacks shall be permitted in addition to the above-referenced provision.
- Detached ADUs may be constructed above existing detached accessory structures, including garages or similar structures, subject to maximum height and setback requirements of the underlying zoning district.
- Garage conversions that displace the parking for the primary dwelling shall not require replacement parking or a parking space for the ADU.
- The parking waiver for within one-half mile of public transit is now defined as “walking distance” rather than “as the crow flies.”
Rental of an ADU or JADU shall be for a term longer than 30 days per state law. No STRs allowed.
Building Permit Review
Building permit review of ADU shall be completed in 60 days. The clock stops when the city provides plan check comments to the applicant and restarts when the applicant resubmits plans. An ADU constructed concurrently with a new single-family dwelling shall not be approved until the permit for the primary dwelling is approved.
In addition to state law, the City will continue to allow ADUs as provided in Article 30, Section 3006 of the Zoning Ordinance as follows:
- A detached ADU up to a maximum of 1,200 square-feet subject to standard height, lot coverage, and setbacks of the zoning district in which it is located.
- An attached ADU not to exceed 50% of the primary dwelling.
- The ADU should be architecturally similar to the primary dwelling in terms of design, building and roofing materials, colors, and exterior finishes.
- An attached ADU taking advantage of the four foot setback provision shall not be allowed to exceed a height of 25 feet. A detached ADU taking advantage of the four foot setback provision shall not exceed 16 feet (or 18 feet if the site is located within .5 miles walking distance of a rail station). An attached or detached ADU exceeding the above height limits must comply with the setbacks of the zoning district in which it is located. For example, a second story ADU addition above the primary dwelling that exceeds 16 feet does not qualify for reduced four foot setbacks.
- Parking design and location shall be in accordance with Section 3006. One parking space shall be required for the ADU unless it qualifies for a parking exemption.
- All development impact fees for which the city has control over have been waived. This excludes school fees. A pro-rated water buy-in fee may be required for additions or detached units based on need to upsize the water meter.
- Building Permit Fees: Detached ADUs shall be assessed fees for a new single-family dwelling. Attached or conversion ADUs shall be assessed fees for an addition/remodel. There is a significant cost savings for attached or conversion units versus new detached construction.
The City’s Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance is located in Article 30, Section 3006 of the Zoning Ordinance. Key revisions to the ordinance include the waiver of certain development impact fees, flexible parking requirements or parking waivers, and a streamlined permit review process.
Please review the ADU Informational Guide and Fact Sheet, and for additional information regarding ADU regulations, please contact the Planning Division or visit the Development Services Department at 300 North Coast Highway.




