Sacramento County

Rancho Cordova ADU rules

Research summary of what we found for City of Rancho Cordova in Sacramento County. Not a determination for a specific lot.

Last checked November 3, 2026.

Showing Rancho Cordova city rules

These are Rancho Cordova's own ADU rules, shown with the California state rules they build on. Each item says which is which.

Where a Rancho Cordova rule may conflict with state law or is being challenged, we show the California state rule instead. This covers the one-ADU-and-one-junior-ADU limit, the two-detached-ADU and conversion-only limits on multifamily lots, design matching, deed restrictions on ADUs, owner occupancy for all junior ADUs, and setbacks for junior ADUs built as additions (most raised in an October 23, 2024 state housing department letter).

A local rule change is pending. The City has been updating its ADU section to match state law. The Planning Commission held a hearing on May 27, 2026, and an amendment to the Zoning Code's specific use rules (Article 9) was set for City Council action on October 5, 2026. The new text is not yet in the online code, so the current code is shown. We'll add the new local rules after they take effect and we've reviewed them.

City or county ADU page

Rancho Cordova ADU page

Check any California address for free

How big can an ADU be in Rancho Cordova?

Maximum size
A detached ADU may be up to 850 sq ft with one bedroom, or 1,000 sq ft with more than one bedroom. An attached ADU has the same limits and is also capped at 50% of the existing main home (not counting up to 150 sq ft added only for entry and exit). No rule in the section, including lot coverage, may block an 800 sq ft ADU with 4 ft side and rear setbacks.
Source: Rancho Cordova Municipal Code § 23.901.060 Accessory dwelling units (eCode360), § 23.901.060(J)(1)(b), (J)(1)(k), (J)(2)(b), (J)(2)(k), accessed 2026-11-03.

ADU setbacks in Rancho Cordova

Setbacks
New attached and detached ADUs need 4 ft side and rear setbacks and the zone's front setback for the main home. Under state law (Gov. Code § 66321(b)(3)), a front setback cannot block an 800 sq ft ADU with 4 ft side and rear setbacks. No setback is needed for existing living area or an accessory structure converted to an ADU, or a rebuild in the same place and size. Detached ADUs must meet the zone's building separation rules, but those cannot block an 800 sq ft, 16 ft ADU with 4 ft side and rear setbacks.
Source: Rancho Cordova Municipal Code § 23.901.060 Accessory dwelling units (eCode360), § 23.901.060(J)(1)(c), (J)(2)(c), (J)(2)(j), accessed 2026-11-03.

What we found for Rancho Cordova

What we have for this place. Where a local figure is stricter than the California state baseline, both are shown.

Local ADU rules
Rancho Cordova's ADU rules are in Municipal Code § 23.901.060, last amended by Ordinance 8-2024. ADUs are allowed by right in any zone that allows single-family or multifamily homes. Only a building permit is needed, with no separate planning permit, and the City must act on a complete application within 60 days.
Source: Rancho Cordova Municipal Code § 23.901.060 Accessory dwelling units (eCode360), § 23.901.060(C), (E) (Ord. 8-2024), accessed 2026-11-03.

ADU types
An attached ADU shares a wall, floor or ceiling with the main home, or is inside an attached garage or accessory structure. A detached ADU is separate from the main home and may be new, a conversion, or a second story over an existing detached building. On a lot with existing multifamily homes, ADUs may be made from non-livable space such as storage rooms, attics, basements or garages (at least one, up to 25% of the existing units).
Source: Rancho Cordova Municipal Code § 23.901.060 Accessory dwelling units (eCode360), § 23.901.060(G)(1), (I)(1), accessed 2026-11-03.

Height
A new detached ADU may be 16 ft. It may be 18 ft within a half mile walk of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor, or on a lot with a multistory multifamily building. Existing buildings taller than 16 ft may be converted. An attached ADU may be 25 ft or the zone's height limit for the main home, whichever is lower, and need not be more than two stories.
Source: Rancho Cordova Municipal Code § 23.901.060 Accessory dwelling units (eCode360), § 23.901.060(J)(1)(d), (J)(2)(d), accessed 2026-11-03.

Parking
One off-street space, covered or uncovered, per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less. It may be tandem on the driveway or in setback areas. No space is needed within a half mile walk of public transit, where on-street permits are required but not offered, for an ADU that is part of the main home, in a historic district, within one block of a car share vehicle, or when the ADU is filed with a new home or multifamily building. A garage, carport or covered parking removed for an ADU does not have to be replaced. Junior ADUs need no parking.
Source: Rancho Cordova Municipal Code § 23.901.060 Accessory dwelling units (eCode360), § 23.901.060(J)(3)(g), (L), accessed 2026-11-03.

Junior ADUs
A JADU may be up to 500 sq ft of living area inside the walls of a single-family home (an attached garage counts). It needs its own entrance, an efficiency kitchen, and a bathroom either in the JADU or shared with the home. It needs no parking and no new or separate utility connection.
Source: Rancho Cordova Municipal Code § 23.901.060 Accessory dwelling units (eCode360), § 23.901.060(G)(2), (J)(3)(a), (b), (d)-(g), accessed 2026-11-03.

Fees, sprinklers and renting
No City impact fees for an ADU under 750 sq ft; an ADU of 750 sq ft or more pays impact fees in proportion to the main home's size. Fees for water, sewer or power connections from other agencies are separate. An ADU does not need fire sprinklers if the main home does not need them. The City's ADU FAQ says ADUs may be rented only for terms longer than 30 days.
Source: Rancho Cordova Municipal Code § 23.901.060 Accessory dwelling units (eCode360), § 23.901.060(J)(1)(h), (J)(2)(g), (K), accessed 2026-11-03.

City ADU FAQ
The Planning Division's ADU FAQ sums up the rules and lists a 6 ft separation for detached ADUs. Questions go to the Planning Division at (916) 851-8750.
Source: City of Rancho Cordova, Accessory Dwelling Units: Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ handout, accessed 2026-11-03.

State housing department (HCD) review
On October 23, 2024, HCD found that Rancho Cordova's ADU ordinance (Ordinance 17-2021) did not comply with state ADU law on 13 points, including old state code references, written comments on denials, the junior ADU bathroom and entrance rule, limits on combining ADU types, new attached ADUs on multifamily lots, front setbacks, design compatibility, fire sprinklers, height limits, deed restrictions on ADUs, junior ADU additions, and a missing parking exemption. The City had until November 22, 2024 to respond. A later ordinance (8-2024) fixed some points, such as the parking exemption. Confirm the current rules with the City of Rancho Cordova.
Source: HCD ordinance review letter, City of Rancho Cordova, Letter of October 23, 2024, accessed 2026-11-03.

California state rules

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

Detached size cap described in state law
1,200 sq ft. 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. 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, 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, 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. 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. 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. 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. What we have 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.

Starting January 1, 2027: two detached ADUs
Starting January 1, 2027, AB 956 (Chapter 791, Statutes of 2026) raises from one to two the number of new detached ADUs a city or county must allow, without discretionary review, on a lot with a proposed or existing single-family home (Gov. Code 66323(a)). Each may be held to 800 sq ft, 4 ft side and rear setbacks and the state height limits. The city or county does not have to also allow a JADU on a lot where two new detached ADUs have been built. AB 956 also makes HOA and deed rules that effectively prohibit or unreasonably restrict an ADU or JADU void on any lot zoned to allow a single-family home, not only lots zoned for single-family use (Civil Code 4751 and 714.3).
Source: AB 956 (2025-2026), Chapter 791, Statutes of 2026, Gov. Code 66323; Civil Code 714.3, 4751; signed September 29, 2026, accessed 2026-11-03.

Starting January 1, 2027: impact fees above 750 sq ft
No impact fee may be charged on an ADU of 750 sq ft or less, or a JADU of 500 sq ft or less (Gov. Code 66311.5(c)). Starting January 1, 2027, SB 1117 (Chapter 809, Statutes of 2026) changes how fees are figured for larger ADUs: for up to two ADUs on a lot, the proportional impact fee is charged only on the interior livable space above 750 sq ft. On a lot with more than two ADUs, the fee stays proportional to the whole ADU. Utility connection fees and capacity charges are not changed.
Source: SB 1117 (2025-2026), Chapter 809, Statutes of 2026, Gov. Code 66311.5(c); signed September 29, 2026, accessed 2026-11-03.

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

ADU rules near Rancho Cordova

Folsom · about 8 miles
Sacramento · about 13 miles
Unincorporated Sacramento County
Elk Grove · about 14 miles
Galt · about 22 miles

Can I build an ADU in Rancho Cordova?

State law sets a baseline for ADUs in Rancho Cordova, and what we found locally is 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 Rancho Cordova Planning Division, or run a free address summary.

Check any California address for free