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Cupertino ADU Requirements – A Detailed Overview

If you’re planning to build an ADU in your Cupertino you must know about specific Cupertino ADU requirements that are made up of a series of factors to make it easy for your ADU construction process.

Many varying requirements are depending on the location, facade material, and location of the ADU.

If you’re building your ADU in Cupertino, you will have to follow the rules and regulations when applying for permits.

Cupertino ADU Requirements - A Detailed Overview

 

Cupertino ADU Regulations

Some basic information about Cupertino ADU requirements is below.

If you own property in a residential area, you can apply for an additional dwelling unit (ADU) on your property. This could be an apartment or other type of small house that is not connected to your main house.

To qualify for an ADU permit, the property must be zoned for residential use only and be located within the City of Cupertino limits. You must also own at least one single-family home or multi-family building (which is just another way of expressing that you have a duplex, triplex, or other kinds of apartment or condo building) on your property before applying for an ADU permit.

You can generally have one or two ADUs on your single-family house in Cupertino if you have one or more additional ADUs elsewhere on your property. Depending on the type of ADU built and the number of existing dwelling units on the property, a multi-family property may have as many ADUs as permitted.

The Cupertino ADU requirements are different for each type of ADUs. Generally, based on the Cupertino ADU requirements, conversion ADUs and junior ADUs don’t require any parking. Attached and detached ADUs will require 1 parking space unless your project qualifies for an exemption from the parking requirements.

Your property can be any size and still be eligible for an ADU. There are no minimum lot size restrictions, so you can build a new home with the space you need, whether that’s a 1,000-square-foot house or a 6,000-square-foot mansion.

ADU is to be consistent with the existing general plan and zoning land use designation for the lot.

Front: 20′ in residential zones, 30′ in agricultural zones.

Rear: 3′ Side: interior 3′, street side on corner 15′, street side on the corner adjacent to key lot 20′.

Min. 150 sq. ft. and limited to 10% of net lot area up to 1,000 sq.ft., or 50% of existing living space of the main dwelling, whichever is more restrictive.

The main residence must not be necessary for independent outdoor access. Entry cannot be made by an exterior stairway in cases where second-story ADUs are permitted. ADU access will be restricted from public streets in all cases.

Cupertino ADU Guidelines

The city government of Cupertino will approve Cupertino ADUs requirements under California’s statewide mandated regulations.

The California Building Code (CBC) 2019 is adopted.

City Hint: The City of Cupertino permitted a total of 19 ADU projects in the past year of 2020.

Number of ADUs allowed: Two units are allowed if one is a JADU and one is a detached 800 s.f. ADU

Multifamily units: The greater than 25% of existing dwelling units or one ADU up to two detached ADUs

Lot size: Single-family and multi-family residential properties will not be subject to the minimum lot size of the underlying zoning district or by ordinance for Accessory Dwelling Unit projects. ~ AB-68

Setbacks:

Front per underlying zoning

Rear and sides 4 ft.

Types of ADUs allowed: Detached ADU, Attached ADU, and Junior ADU are allowed. Accessory Dwelling Units may be new construction or converted from existing space. Junior ADUs must be converted from existing space.

ADU size:

Single Family: 1 bd: 850 s.f.

2+ bd: 1,000 s.f.

Must meet Floor Area Ratio and Lot Coverage

Multifamily Detached: 1,200 square feet

Shape, materials, and style: Proposed architecture, colors, materials, etc. must be consistent with the main house.

Parking: Replacement parking shall not apply to lots that convert an existing garage to an Accessory Dwelling Unit or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU). ~ AB68 & AB881 Update.

Height:

Conversion: Per the underlying zone, no increase

Detached: 16 ft

Fire Safety: Per state minimum requirements.

Number of Bedrooms:  Not specified by State Standards.

Design review: Ministerial review process per state standards.

Ownership: Owner occupancy will not be required for new ADUs (conversion and new construction) built between 2020 and 2025. ~ SB13 Update

Entry: Must have direct outside access without going through the principal dwelling and entrance must be screened from a public street.

Utility connections: Local health officer approval where a private sewage disposal system is being used, if required. (State requirements)

Allowed Zones:  Beginning in 2020, according to state law, all residential zoning districts, including single-family and multi-family, are allowed to build Accessory Dwelling Units.

Additional Information About ADU Requirements In Cupertino

How long does it take to plan, design, and build an ADU in Cupertino?

Generally, the amount of time it will take will vary based on several factors, including the design selected, whether your ADU is built on-site or built ahead of time in a factory, and the availability of your architect or builder.

Does building an ADU impact property value in Cupertino?

An ADU will increase the value of your property. The exact amount is difficult to predict, but a very rough estimate is that your property value will increase by 100 times the ADU’s monthly rental value. Meaning, if you can rent out your ADU for $1,500/month, your property value will increase by roughly $150,000.

How much does an ADU cost in Cupertino?

The cost of an ADU depends on lots of things, including the size of the ADU, the design of the ADU, whether the ADU is built on-site or ahead of time in a factory, and the cost of materials and labor.

Does building ADU impact property taxes in Cupertino?

Your property taxes will slightly increase based on the added value of the ADU. The base value of your property will not be reassessed. As an example, if an ADU will add $100,000 in value to your property, and your property tax rate is 1.1%, then your property tax would increase by $1,100 ($100,000 x 1.1%).

Can ADUs be rented in Cupertino ?

Yes, your ADU can be rented out, although most cities don’t allow short-term rentals of ADUs. This means you can probably only rent your ADU out for a month or longer.

Does the owner need to live on the property that the Cupertino ADU is built on?

Generally, the property owner will only have to live on the property if a JADU is built on it.

At Done Right Home Remodeling, we are dedicated to working with you and your family to create your dream ADUs in Cupertino. We have the experience and expertise to help you achieve exactly what you want and we’re here for all stages of the process, from initial consultations to final walkthroughs and inspections. Whether it’s a new ADU or an existing one, we can help you transform your space into something beautiful that fits your lifestyle and budget.