San Bernardino County
Upland ADU rules
Research summary of local ADU rules on file for City of Upland in San Bernardino County. Not a determination for a specific lot.
City or county ADU page
Check any California address for freeCity of Upland 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 the city planning page points for standards
The city planning page says development standards are in chapter 17.37 of the Upland Municipal Code.
Source: City of Upland ADU page, 17.37, accessed 2026-10-16.
Setbacks recorded from chapter 17.37
4 ft side and rear. The same chapter, as recorded in this rules file, also describes a 25 ft front setback for an ADU that goes beyond the state minimums, or 15 ft on the street side of a corner lot.
Source: Upland Municipal Code Chapter 17.37 (codified text; Ordinance 2014 not yet codified), 17.37, accessed 2026-10-16.
Height recorded from chapter 17.37
Detached: 16 ft. Up to 18 ft within half a mile of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor, and up to 20 ft if needed to match the main house roof pitch. Detached on a lot with a multi-story multifamily building: 18 ft. Attached: 25 ft or the zone limit, whichever is lower, and no more than two stories.
Source: Upland Municipal Code Chapter 17.37 (codified text; Ordinance 2014 not yet codified), 17.37, accessed 2026-10-16.
Junior unit size on the city planning page
Up to 500 sq ft, inside the single-family home or an attached garage.
Source: City of Upland ADU page, accessed 2026-10-16.
Parking recorded from chapter 17.37
One off-street space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is fewer. The chapter, as recorded in this rules file, says the space may be tandem or in a setback area, and it lists exemptions.
Source: Upland Municipal Code Chapter 17.37 (codified text; Ordinance 2014 not yet codified), 17.37, accessed 2026-10-16.
HCD review letter
HCD's letter dated July 8, 2025 found the city's ADU ordinance then on file out of compliance with state ADU law. The letter cited the severability clause and the attached and detached definitions. The city has since restated chapter 17.37 twice: Ordinance 2009, adopted March 9, 2026, and Ordinance 2014, adopted September 14, 2026. This rules file does not confirm whether HCD has reviewed the newer text. Where a city figure on file is stricter than the state baseline on file, both are shown and the state figure is the one used in the comparison line. Confirm with the City of Upland Planning Division.
Source: HCD ordinance review letter, City of Upland, Letter of July 8, 2025, accessed 2026-10-16.
Bonus ADU program (section 17.37.110)
Ordinance 2014 adds a bonus ADU program. It applies only to lots in the RS-10, RS-15 or RS-20 zone that are larger than 15,000 sq ft and contain a single-family structure. A lot that meets those conditions may add one bonus ADU or one bonus JADU on top of the otherwise allowed units, attached, detached, or as a JADU. Before occupancy, a deed restriction must be recorded for at least 10 years, and the unit must be rented to lower-income households at a rent no higher than 80% of Area Median Income. The unit follows Class 2 ADU standards except where section 17.37.110 says otherwise. Confirm whether a lot qualifies with the City of Upland Planning Division.
Source: City of Upland Ordinance 2014, 17.37.110; adopted September 14, 2026, accessed 2026-10-16.
Phones listed on the city planning page
Planning Division 909-931-4130. Building and Safety Division 909-931-4110.
Source: City of Upland ADU page, accessed 2026-10-16.
Published fee schedule
Not confirmed — check with the City of Upland Building and Safety Division. No fee schedule is stored in this rules file.
Source: City of Upland ADU page, accessed 2026-10-16.
City-published plan sets
Sizes and notes recorded in the rules file.
The city page calls these plan sets "pre-approved" and "permit-ready". They are drawn for side and rear clearances of at least 5 ft, and the page says they are not for high fire zone areas. A site plan for the specific lot is still required. This summary matches a plan only when a measured side and rear clearance of at least 5 ft is on file.
Source: City of Upland plan-set page, accessed 2026-10-16.
- CADU0001, 1 bedroom440 sq ft
- CADU0002, 1 bedroom484 sq ft
- CADU0003, 1 bedroom495 sq ft
- CADU0004, 1 bedroom705 sq ft
- CADU0005, 2 bedroom741 sq ft
- CADU0006, 2 bedroom745 sq ft
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 Upland?
State law sets a baseline for ADUs in Upland, 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 Upland Planning Division, or run a free address summary.
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