Create Your Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are a secondary housing unit that can be attached or detached accessory structure associated with single or multifamily dwellings.
ADUs are part of the solution to Santa Cruz County’s critical housing shortage and high housing costs.
What is an ADU?
An ADU is an independent residential dwelling unit located on a lot with a primary dwelling unit. ADUs must include permanent provisions for living.
The Permit Process
An ADU requires a building permit using the County’s online ePlan review process: http://scceplanreview.santacruzcounty.us/.
To apply for a permit, you will need construction plans and the application fee. For a complete list of required application materials, review the ePlan website or visit the Building Counter on the 4th Floor of the Government Center at 701 Ocean Street.
I addition Fire districts, water agencies, and sanitation agencies (Dept. of Public Works sanitation or Environmental Health Services) review building permits for compliance. Applicants in the Soquel Creek Water District must receive a “Will Serve” letter for New Construction ADUs.
What is the Santa Cruz ADU incentive program?
The County of Santa Cruz is launching a new Accessory Dwelling Unit Incentives Program focused on helping homeowners in the unincorporated areas navigate the process of adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to their homes.
How many bedrooms can an ADU have in California?
California state law does not allow a limit on the number of bedrooms in an ADU. Limiting the number of bedrooms can be considered discriminatory towards protected classes and impede the development of new ADUs. Local governments cannot adopt ordinances that impose bedroom limits for new ADUs.
How much does an ADU increase property taxes in California?
The taxes you pay on the primary home will not change. So, to go back to our previous example: let’s say that you just completed an ADU project, and the ADU cost $200,000 to build. If your combined city-county property tax rate is 1%, you’d pay an additional $2,000/year in property taxes going forward.
For more information on ADU’s visit:
