San Mateo County
Burlingame ADU rules
Research summary of local ADU rules on file for City of Burlingame in San Mateo County. Not a determination for a specific lot.
City or county ADU page
Check any California address for freeCity of Burlingame 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.
How many
Single-family lots: one attached or detached ADU and one junior ADU, or all three state-exempt units (a conversion, a junior ADU and a new detached ADU). Multifamily lots: conversions of non-living space up to 25% of existing units (at least one), and detached ADUs up to the number of existing units, no more than eight.
Source: City of Burlingame ADU Development Guide (Municipal Code 25.48.030), Number and Location, accessed 2026-10-23.
State-exempt ADUs
Up to 800 sq ft with 4 ft side and rear setbacks; exempt from floor area, lot coverage and front setback rules.
Source: City of Burlingame ADU Development Guide (Municipal Code 25.48.030), Development Standards, accessed 2026-10-23.
Side and rear setbacks
4 ft. None for converted existing space or a detached ADU rebuilt in the same place and size.
Source: City of Burlingame ADU Development Guide (Municipal Code 25.48.030), Development Standards, accessed 2026-10-23.
Height
Detached on single-family lots: 16 ft; 18 ft near major transit plus 2 ft to match the main roof pitch. Detached on multifamily lots: 18 ft. Attached: 30 ft (25 ft in the Hillside overlay), up to two stories.
Source: City of Burlingame ADU Development Guide (Municipal Code 25.48.030), Development Standards, accessed 2026-10-23.
Entrance
ADUs and junior ADUs need their own exterior entrance; where possible it should not face the same street as the main home’s entrance.
Source: City of Burlingame ADU Development Guide (Municipal Code 25.48.030), Entrance, accessed 2026-10-23.
Kitchen and bath
ADUs need a full kitchen (sink, stove or oven, refrigerator, counter and cabinets) and their own bathroom. Junior ADUs need an efficiency kitchen and may share a bathroom.
Source: City of Burlingame ADU Development Guide (Municipal Code 25.48.030), Kitchen; Bathroom, accessed 2026-10-23.
Fire
Sprinklers are needed if the main home has them, and for ADUs over 1,200 sq ft. Fire access within 150 ft of a street or fire-access driveway to the farthest point of the ADU. Central County Fire: info@ccfd.org, 650-558-7600.
Source: City of Burlingame ADU Development Guide (Municipal Code 25.48.030), Fire, accessed 2026-10-23.
Building
Separate side-hinged entry door; 1-hour fire wall for attached ADUs; access to the electrical panel, heating and water heater; waterproofing for garage conversions; Aging-in-Place features for new units (CRC R327).
Source: City of Burlingame ADU Development Guide (Municipal Code 25.48.030), Building, accessed 2026-10-23.
Trees and landscaping
Protected trees must be shown on plans and protected; removal needs a Parks permit. Landscape changes over 500 sq ft must meet water-efficient landscape rules.
Source: City of Burlingame ADU Development Guide (Municipal Code 25.48.030), Parks, accessed 2026-10-23.
Engineering
Separate address with an “A” suffix before occupancy. Sewer must tie into the existing lateral. Flood-zone floors 1 ft above base flood elevation. Detached ADU drainage goes to an “approved” system or the street.
Source: City of Burlingame ADU Development Guide (Municipal Code 25.48.030), Engineering, 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 Burlingame?
State law sets a baseline for ADUs in Burlingame, 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 City of Burlingame Planning Division, or run a free address summary.
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