Monterey County

Salinas ADU rules

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

Last checked October 23, 2026.

City or county ADU page

Salinas 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.

Current rules
The City Council adopted the Phase 1 Zoning Code Update on September 1, 2026 (7-0, Ordinance 2699). It adds ADU rules as Zoning Code Section 37-50.250 and takes effect 30 days after adoption, which is October 1, 2026.
Source: City of Salinas, City Council Meeting Minutes, September 1, 2026 (Unofficial), Item ID#26-378, Enactment No. ORD 2699, accessed 2026-10-23.

Units under the state standards
Building permit only, reviewed ministerially. Single-family lot: one conversion ADU and one junior ADU (up to 150 sq ft added for access; no front setback; fire-safe side and rear setbacks), plus one detached ADU of up to 800 sq ft with no front setback and 4-foot side and rear setbacks. Multifamily lot: conversions up to 25% of units, and up to eight detached ADUs (not more than existing units) or two with a proposed building. No parking and no new utility connection.
Source: City of Salinas, Phase 1 Zoning Code Update ordinance as presented for adoption (Council File ID#26-378, adopted as Ordinance No. 2699), Zoning Code Section 37-50.250, 37-50.250(b), accessed 2026-10-23.

Review of other ADUs
One more ADU per lot under the local standards, combinable with the state-standard units. Building permit with planning review: completeness decision within 15 business days, action within 60 days of a complete application, and a written appeal decision within 60 business days.
Source: City of Salinas, Phase 1 Zoning Code Update ordinance as presented for adoption (Council File ID#26-378, adopted as Ordinance No. 2699), Zoning Code Section 37-50.250, 37-50.250(c), accessed 2026-10-23.

Attached ADU (local standards)
At least 150 sq ft; an addition may be up to 50% of the main home's living area but at least 850 sq ft (one bedroom) or 1,000 sq ft (more bedrooms). 4-foot side, street-side and rear setbacks (none for conversions or same-size rebuilds). Height two stories and 25 feet, or the zone limit if lower.
Source: City of Salinas, Phase 1 Zoning Code Update ordinance as presented for adoption (Council File ID#26-378, adopted as Ordinance No. 2699), Zoning Code Section 37-50.250, 37-50.250(c)(3)(B), accessed 2026-10-23.

Detached ADU (local standards)
150 to 1,200 sq ft. 4-foot side, street-side and rear setbacks (none for conversions or same-size rebuilds). Height 16 feet, or 18 feet within a half mile of major transit or with a multistory multifamily building, plus 2 feet to match roof pitch; up to two stories within these limits.
Source: City of Salinas, Phase 1 Zoning Code Update ordinance as presented for adoption (Council File ID#26-378, adopted as Ordinance No. 2699), Zoning Code Section 37-50.250, 37-50.250(c)(3)(C), accessed 2026-10-23.

Other standards
No owner occupancy for ADUs. Fire sprinklers only if the main home needs them. Demolition of a garage is reviewed with the ADU.
Source: City of Salinas, Phase 1 Zoning Code Update ordinance as presented for adoption (Council File ID#26-378, adopted as Ordinance No. 2699), Zoning Code Section 37-50.250, 37-50.250(c)(4), accessed 2026-10-23.

Parking (local-standard ADUs)
One space per unit or per bedroom, whichever is less, except near transit, in a historic district, for ADUs within the home or an accessory structure, where on-street permits are not offered, near car share, or when built with a new home. Lost parking does not have to be replaced.
Source: City of Salinas, Phase 1 Zoning Code Update ordinance as presented for adoption (Council File ID#26-378, adopted as Ordinance No. 2699), Zoning Code Section 37-50.250, 37-50.250(c), accessed 2026-10-23.

Junior ADU
One per lot, within the walls of a single-family home, 150 to 500 sq ft, with a separate entrance and an efficiency kitchen; no parking. Owner occupancy only if sanitation is shared. A deed restriction must be recorded before the building permit.
Source: City of Salinas, Phase 1 Zoning Code Update ordinance as presented for adoption (Council File ID#26-378, adopted as Ordinance No. 2699), Zoning Code Section 37-50.250, 37-50.250(d), accessed 2026-10-23.

Rentals and sale
Rentals must be longer than 30 days. An ADU may not be occupied before the main home, and may be sold separately only under Government Code 66341 and 66342.
Source: City of Salinas, Phase 1 Zoning Code Update ordinance as presented for adoption (Council File ID#26-378, adopted as Ordinance No. 2699), Zoning Code Section 37-50.250, 37-50.250, accessed 2026-10-23.

Fees
No impact fees for ADUs under 750 sq ft or for junior ADUs; school fees do not apply under 500 sq ft.
Source: City of Salinas, Phase 1 Zoning Code Update ordinance as presented for adoption (Council File ID#26-378, adopted as Ordinance No. 2699), Zoning Code Section 37-50.250, 37-50.250, accessed 2026-10-23.

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 Salinas?

State law sets a baseline for ADUs in Salinas, 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 Salinas Community Development Department, or run a free address summary.

Check any California address for free