Fresno County

Firebaugh ADU rules

Research summary of local ADU rules on file for Firebaugh in Fresno County. Not a determination for a specific lot.

Last checked October 24, 2026.

City or county ADU page

Firebaugh rules on file

Local rules recorded in this project for this jurisdiction. Where a city figure on file is stricter than the state baseline on file, both are shown.

Where ADUs are allowed
ADUs and junior ADUs only on lots zoned to allow residential use (see the Firebaugh Zoning Map). No minimum lot size.
Source: City of Firebaugh, Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units in Firebaugh (flyer revised 2026-07-07), Permitted Locations; Development Standards: Minimum Lot Size, accessed 2026-10-24.

Multifamily lots
ADUs as required by state law, including detached ADUs and conversion ADUs inside existing multifamily buildings.
Source: City of Firebaugh, Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units in Firebaugh (flyer revised 2026-07-07), Development Standards: Eligibility and Number of Units, accessed 2026-10-24.

Setbacks
New ADU: at least 4 feet from side and rear lot lines. Front setbacks apply only if they do not prevent an ADU allowed by state law. No setback for converting a legally built garage, accessory structure or part of the home (Building and Fire Code still apply). Setback, lot coverage, floor area ratio, open space and landscaping rules may not prevent an 800 sq ft ADU with 4-foot side and rear setbacks. Building separation only as the Building or Fire Code needs.
Source: City of Firebaugh, Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units in Firebaugh (flyer revised 2026-07-07), Development Standards: Setbacks; Distance Between Structures, accessed 2026-10-24.

Size limits
Any local maximum must allow at least 850 sq ft (one bedroom or less) or 1,000 sq ft (more than one bedroom). An 800 sq ft ADU with 4-foot side and rear setbacks is allowed regardless of floor area ratio, lot coverage or open space. Attached ADU: may be limited to 50% of the main home, but not below 850 or 1,000 sq ft. Junior ADU: up to 500 sq ft. No minimum size that would prevent an efficiency unit.
Source: City of Firebaugh, Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units in Firebaugh (flyer revised 2026-07-07), Development Standards: Maximum Size, accessed 2026-10-24.

Height
Detached ADU: at least 16 feet, and more where state law requires (multifamily lots, near transit, above a garage).
Source: City of Firebaugh, Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units in Firebaugh (flyer revised 2026-07-07), Development Standards: Height, accessed 2026-10-24.

Parking
Only as state law allows: at most one space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less, which may be tandem on a driveway or in setback areas. No replacement parking when a garage or carport is removed or converted. No parking for a junior ADU.
Source: City of Firebaugh, Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units in Firebaugh (flyer revised 2026-07-07), Development Standards: Parking, accessed 2026-10-24.

Fire sprinklers
Not required in an ADU unless required for the main home.
Source: City of Firebaugh, Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units in Firebaugh (flyer revised 2026-07-07), Development Standards: Fire Sprinklers, accessed 2026-10-24.

Design standards
Only objective design standards (such as exterior materials, roof form and windows) that do not prevent an ADU allowed by state law.
Source: City of Firebaugh, Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units in Firebaugh (flyer revised 2026-07-07), Development Standards: Design Standards, accessed 2026-10-24.

Rentals, sale and owner occupancy
ADUs and junior ADUs may be rented but not sold separately from the home except as state law allows. Owner occupancy is not required for an ADU.
Source: City of Firebaugh, Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units in Firebaugh (flyer revised 2026-07-07), Development Standards 10: Occupancy and Ownership, accessed 2026-10-24.

Permits and impact fees
A building permit is required. No impact fees for an ADU under 750 sq ft; larger ADUs pay impact fees in proportion to the main home's square footage.
Source: City of Firebaugh, Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units in Firebaugh (flyer revised 2026-07-07), Development Standards 11: Permits and Fees, accessed 2026-10-24.

Who to contact
Firebaugh City Hall, 1133 P Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622, (559) 659-2043. The flyer is posted in English and Spanish.
Source: City of Firebaugh, Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units in Firebaugh (flyer revised 2026-07-07), For More Information, accessed 2026-10-24.

California state rules on file

The statewide baseline recorded from state law and the HCD ADU Handbook.

Detached size cap described in state law
1,200 sq ft. Recorded in this rules file from Government Code section 66314.
Source: California Government Code section 66314, 66314, accessed 2026-10-16.

Side and rear setback cap for a new ADU
4 ft. Recorded in this rules file from Government Code section 66314, which describes a cap on side and rear setbacks for a new ADU.
Source: California Government Code section 66314, 66314, accessed 2026-10-16.

Setback for a conversion of an existing structure
No additional setback, as recorded in this rules file from Government Code section 66314 for a conversion of an existing structure.
Source: California Government Code section 66314, 66314, accessed 2026-10-16.

Minimum lot size
A city may not impose a minimum lot size for an ADU, as recorded in this rules file from Government Code section 66314.
Source: California Government Code section 66314, 66314, accessed 2026-10-16.

Minimum unit the handbook says cities must allow
At least an 800 sq ft ADU with 4 ft side and rear setbacks. The HCD ADU Handbook (updated March 2026) describes this under section 66321(b)(3).
Source: HCD ADU Handbook, 66321(b)(3); handbook updated March 2026, accessed 2026-10-16.

Detached height described in the handbook
16 ft, or 18 ft or 20 ft in some cases. The HCD ADU Handbook (updated March 2026) describes this under section 66321(b)(4).
Source: HCD ADU Handbook, 66321(b)(4); handbook updated March 2026, accessed 2026-10-16.

Permit decision deadline
60 days. Recorded in this rules file from Government Code section 66317(a)(3): the permitting agency must decide on (approve or deny) a completed ADU application within 60 days when an existing single-family or multifamily dwelling is on the lot. Section 66317(a)(1) says the application is considered ministerially, without discretionary review or a hearing.
Source: California Government Code section 66317, 66317(a)(1), (a)(3), accessed 2026-10-17.

Owner-occupancy requirement
None. Recorded in this rules file from Government Code section 66315: a local agency may not impose an owner-occupancy requirement on an ADU. It may require that the property be used for rentals of terms 30 days or longer. The HCD ADU Handbook (updated March 2026) describes the same rule.
Source: California Government Code section 66315, 66315; HCD ADU Handbook updated March 2026, accessed 2026-10-17.

Parking near public transit
No parking standards within one-half mile walking distance of public transit. Recorded in this rules file from Government Code section 66322(a)(1). Section 66322(a) lists several other cases where parking standards may not be imposed.
Source: California Government Code section 66322, 66322(a), accessed 2026-10-17.

Ministerial categories
The HCD ADU Handbook (updated March 2026) states that Government Code section 66323 sets four ministerial categories. This rules file does not restate those four categories.
Source: HCD ADU Handbook, 66323; handbook updated March 2026, accessed 2026-10-16.

Fire Hazard Severity Zones
If your lot is in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone, the CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal says in Information Bulletin 25-004 (issued March 3, 2025): “Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs) should not restrict the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). However, additional building standards may be necessary, including but not limited to California Fire Code Chapter 49 and California Building Code Chapter 7A.” State ADU law does not itself bar an ADU there. A city or county may still apply its building code, including wildfire-resistant construction (Gov. Code 66314(d)(8)); require side and rear setbacks “sufficient for fire and safety” for a unit converted under 66323(a)(1); and decline parking in setbacks on specific fire and life safety findings (66314(d)(10)(B)). It may also consider public safety when it designates where ADUs may be permitted (66314(a)). Sprinklers can't be required in an ADU or JADU if the primary residence doesn't need them (66314(d)(12), 66323(d)). Some cities and counties still apply their own fire-zone limits. Where this summary has one, it is listed with the local rules. This summary does not look up your lot. Check the CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone map viewer linked from the State Fire Marshal's Fire Hazard Severity Zones page: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/5065c998b4b0462f9ec3c6c226c610a9
Source: CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal Information Bulletin 25-004, page 4, issued March 3, 2025; Gov. Code 66314, 66323, accessed 2026-10-20.

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Can I build an ADU in Firebaugh?

State law sets a baseline for ADUs in Firebaugh, and the local standards on file are listed on this page. Whether a specific lot can add an ADU depends on zoning, utilities, and other site facts this page does not measure. Confirm with the City of Firebaugh (City Hall, Planning), or run a free address summary.

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