Fresno County

Sanger ADU rules

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

Last checked October 24, 2026.

City or county ADU page

Sanger 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
Lots zoned for single-family or multifamily homes with a proposed or existing home. A building permit is required, and applications that meet the standards are reviewed ministerially without a hearing.
Source: City of Sanger Ordinance No. 2025-04 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 2025-01), Exhibit A: Sanger City Code Sec. 90-894(5) Accessory Dwelling Units, Sec. 90-894(5): Applicability; Permit Required, accessed 2026-10-24.

Review time
The City acts within 60 days of a complete application (longer if filed with a new main home, or if the applicant asks for a delay). If denied, the City sends written comments listing what to fix within 60 days.
Source: City of Sanger Ordinance No. 2025-04 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 2025-01), Exhibit A: Sanger City Code Sec. 90-894(5) Accessory Dwelling Units, Sec. 90-894(5): Processing Time; Denial/Remedies, accessed 2026-10-24.

How many units
Single-family lot: one detached ADU, one attached or converted ADU and one junior ADU may be combined. Multifamily: conversions of non-livable space up to 25% of existing units (at least one); up to two detached ADUs with proposed multifamily buildings, or up to eight with existing ones (not more than the existing units).
Source: City of Sanger Ordinance No. 2025-04 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 2025-01), Exhibit A: Sanger City Code Sec. 90-894(5) Accessory Dwelling Units, Sec. 90-894(5): Number of ADUs or JADUs Permitted; Detached ADUs: Maximum Number, accessed 2026-10-24.

Detached ADU size
150 sq ft minimum; up to 1,200 sq ft on a single-family lot.
Source: City of Sanger Ordinance No. 2025-04 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 2025-01), Exhibit A: Sanger City Code Sec. 90-894(5) Accessory Dwelling Units, Sec. 90-894(5): Detached ADUs: Floor Area, accessed 2026-10-24.

Setbacks
4 feet from side, street side and rear lot lines; none for converting existing living area or an accessory structure, or rebuilding one in the same place and size. Zone standards (lot coverage, floor area ratio, open space, front setback) apply only if they allow at least an 800 sq ft ADU.
Source: City of Sanger Ordinance No. 2025-04 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 2025-01), Exhibit A: Sanger City Code Sec. 90-894(5) Accessory Dwelling Units, Sec. 90-894(5): Detached ADUs: Minimum Setbacks; Development Standards, accessed 2026-10-24.

Height
Detached: 16 feet for one story; 18 feet within a half mile walk of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor, or with a multifamily building over one story; 25 feet for two stories; plus 2 feet to match the main home's roof pitch. Attached: two stories and 25 feet, or the zone limit if lower.
Source: City of Sanger Ordinance No. 2025-04 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 2025-01), Exhibit A: Sanger City Code Sec. 90-894(5) Accessory Dwelling Units, Sec. 90-894(5): Detached ADUs: Maximum Height; Attached ADUs: Maximum Height, accessed 2026-10-24.

Parking
At most one space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less (tandem or in setbacks allowed). None within a half mile walk of transit, in a historic district, inside the home or an accessory structure, where on-street permits are not offered, within one block of a car share, or when filed with a new main home. No parking for attached ADUs or junior ADUs, and no replacement parking when a garage or carport is removed.
Source: City of Sanger Ordinance No. 2025-04 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 2025-01), Exhibit A: Sanger City Code Sec. 90-894(5) Accessory Dwelling Units, Sec. 90-894(5): Detached ADUs: Parking; Attached ADUs: Parking; General Development and Operational Standards, accessed 2026-10-24.

Junior ADU
One per single-family lot, within the walls of the home (including an attached garage), 150 to 500 sq ft, with its own exterior entrance and an efficiency kitchen. A bathroom may be shared with the home, with an interior entry. A recorded deed restriction bars separate sale.
Source: City of Sanger Ordinance No. 2025-04 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 2025-01), Exhibit A: Sanger City Code Sec. 90-894(5) Accessory Dwelling Units, Sec. 90-894(5): Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, accessed 2026-10-24.

Owner occupancy (ADUs)
Owner occupancy is not required on a property with an ADU.
Source: City of Sanger Ordinance No. 2025-04 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 2025-01), Exhibit A: Sanger City Code Sec. 90-894(5) Accessory Dwelling Units, Sec. 90-894(5): General Development and Operational Standards (Occupancy), accessed 2026-10-24.

Rentals and sale
ADU rentals must be 30 days or longer. An ADU may be sold separately only under Gov. Code 66341, or as a condominium under Gov. Code 66342.
Source: City of Sanger Ordinance No. 2025-04 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 2025-01), Exhibit A: Sanger City Code Sec. 90-894(5) Accessory Dwelling Units, Sec. 90-894(5): Rental and Sale Limitations, accessed 2026-10-24.

Utilities and sprinklers
ADUs connect to public water, electric and sewer (or the equivalent). No fire sprinklers unless the main home needs them.
Source: City of Sanger Ordinance No. 2025-04 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment 2025-01), Exhibit A: Sanger City Code Sec. 90-894(5) Accessory Dwelling Units, Sec. 90-894(5): General Development and Operational Standards, accessed 2026-10-24.

City plan program
The City keeps a list of ADU plans it has reviewed under AB 1332; owners contact the designer, sign a release form and submit it with a building permit application and site plan.
Source: City of Sanger Planning Division, ADU plans program page, How Does the Program Work?; How to Participate, 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.

State baseline on the directory → · State ADU rules on the homepage →

Can I build an ADU in Sanger?

State law sets a baseline for ADUs in Sanger, 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 Sanger Community Development Department (Planning Division), or run a free address summary.

Check any California address for free