Santa Cruz County
Scotts Valley ADU rules
Research summary of local ADU rules on file for City of Scotts Valley in Santa Cruz County. Not a determination for a specific lot.
City or county ADU page
Check any California address for freeCity of Scotts Valley 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 rules are
ADU rules are in Zoning Code Chapter 17.57 and JADU rules in Chapter 17.58. An ADU that meets the zoning district yards for main homes may be taller and larger than one inside those yards. Planning: planningdepartment@scottsvalley.gov, 831-440-5600.
Source: City of Scotts Valley ADU Manual, II. ADU Requirements, accessed 2026-10-23.
Building permit and timeline
An ADU that meets all standards needs only a building permit, with no hearing. The City says it will flag missing information within 15 business days and act within 60 days of a complete application. Agreeing to rent only to lower-income households gets priority processing.
Source: City of Scotts Valley ADU Manual, Frequently Asked Questions, accessed 2026-10-23.
Setbacks and height
Most ADUs need 4 ft side and rear setbacks and the main home's front setback; conversions and replacements of existing structures need none. In R-1, R-R and R-MT zones a detached ADU that meets single-family setbacks may be up to 35 ft tall.
Source: City of Scotts Valley ADU Manual, Frequently Asked Questions, accessed 2026-10-23.
Fire District
ADUs must also meet Scotts Valley Fire Protection District rules on water supply, access and sprinklers. Sprinklers are required only when the main home requires them.
Source: City of Scotts Valley ADU Manual, Scotts Valley Fire Protection District, accessed 2026-10-23.
Sewer and septic
Conversions inside existing structures need no new utility connection. Other ADUs within 200 ft of a sewer connection point must connect; farther away, a septic system needs County Environmental Health sign-off (831-454-2022).
Source: City of Scotts Valley ADU Manual, Frequently Asked Questions, accessed 2026-10-23.
Fees
No development impact fees for JADUs or ADUs under 750 sq ft, and no school fees for ADUs under 500 sq ft.
Source: City of Scotts Valley ADU Manual, Frequently Asked Questions, accessed 2026-10-23.
Pre-reviewed ADU program
The City's Pre-Reviewed ADU Program lists detached plans already reviewed for general code compliance, bought from outside vendors, for faster review. You still file a site-specific application with a site plan, utilities, access, grading and any changes.
Source: City of Scotts Valley ADU Manual, IV. Pre-Reviewed ADU Program, accessed 2026-10-23.
Occupancy, rentals and address
No owner occupancy for ADUs; for a JADU only when it shares a bathroom with the main home. Rentals must be 30 days or more. Each ADU or JADU gets its own address during permit review.
Source: City of Scotts Valley ADU Manual, Frequently Asked Questions, 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 Scotts Valley?
State law sets a baseline for ADUs in Scotts Valley, 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 Scotts Valley Planning Department, or run a free address summary.
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