Kings County

Hanford ADU rules

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

Last checked October 24, 2026.

City or county ADU page

Hanford 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.

Which rules apply
Where Sec. 17.60.030 conflicts with Gov. Code 66310 and following, the state law applies. ADUs also meet the zone's objective standards and Fire and Building Codes.
Source: City of Hanford Municipal Code Sec. 17.60.030 Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11), eCode360, 17.60.030 (introduction), accessed 2026-10-24.

Where ADUs are allowed
Lots zoned for single-family or multifamily homes with a proposed or existing main home (mixed-use zones count as residential, but not in non-livable space of the commercial part). No minimum lot size, and ADUs are not denied for density.
Source: City of Hanford Municipal Code Sec. 17.60.030 Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11), eCode360, 17.60.030(A)(1); (A)(10)-(11), accessed 2026-10-24.

Size limits
Minimum 150 sq ft (efficiency unit). Attached: 50% of the main home's living area or 850 sq ft (1,000 sq ft with more than one bedroom), whichever is greater. Detached: up to 1,200 sq ft. Conversions of existing space have no size cap (plus 150 sq ft for entry and exit). A building with an ADU may not be larger than the main home unless the ADU is up to 850 sq ft (studio or one bedroom) or 1,000 sq ft (more bedrooms).
Source: City of Hanford Municipal Code Sec. 17.60.030 Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11), eCode360, 17.60.030(A)(4), accessed 2026-10-24.

Setbacks
4 feet from side and rear lot lines; front setback per the zone. None for a converted structure rebuilt in the same place and size. 10 feet between detached buildings unless the Building Code allows less. Front setback and building separation may not prevent an 800 sq ft ADU with 4-foot side and rear setbacks.
Source: City of Hanford Municipal Code Sec. 17.60.030 Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11), eCode360, 17.60.030(A)(5), accessed 2026-10-24.

Height
Detached: 16 feet; 18 feet within a half mile walk of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor (plus 2 feet to match the main home's roof pitch) or with a multistory multifamily building. Attached: 25 feet or the zone limit, whichever is lower, and no more than two stories.
Source: City of Hanford Municipal Code Sec. 17.60.030 Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11), eCode360, 17.60.030(A)(6), accessed 2026-10-24.

Parking
At most one space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less (tandem or in setbacks allowed). Waived 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 home. No replacement parking when a garage or carport is removed or converted.
Source: City of Hanford Municipal Code Sec. 17.60.030 Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11), eCode360, 17.60.030(A)(7), accessed 2026-10-24.

Junior ADU
One per single-family lot, within the walls of the home (including an attached garage), up to 500 sq ft, with its own entrance and an efficiency kitchen. A bathroom may be shared, with an interior entry. No extra parking. A recorded deed restriction bars separate sale.
Source: City of Hanford Municipal Code Sec. 17.60.030 Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11), eCode360, 17.60.030(B), accessed 2026-10-24.

Rentals and sale
ADUs may be rented but not sold separately except under Gov. Code 66341; rentals must be longer than 30 days.
Source: City of Hanford Municipal Code Sec. 17.60.030 Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11), eCode360, 17.60.030(A)(16)-(17), accessed 2026-10-24.

Unpermitted ADUs
The City runs an ADU amnesty process under AB 2533 (Gov. Code 66332) for unpermitted ADUs and junior ADUs built before the date in state law, with a health and safety checklist.
Source: City of Hanford Building Division, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU/JADU) and ADU Amnesty Program page, ADU Amnesty Program, accessed 2026-10-24.

City plans
Free ADU plan sets of 375, 550, 775 and 908 sq ft (with the San Joaquin Valley REAP); City staff still review site-specific zoning items. The page also links ADU overview and conversion handouts in English and Spanish and a JADU recording document.
Source: City of Hanford Building Division, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU/JADU) and ADU Amnesty Program page, ADU Documents/Plans, 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 Hanford?

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

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