County directory

Stanislaus County ADU rules

Each place name links to that city or county's own ADU page. Places with a 'See our rules summary' button also have our plain-language summary of the local ADU rules, with sources. Each place below says whether we show local rules or California state rules.

Places in Stanislaus County

Ceres (opens the government site in a new tab)
Showing California state rules
We couldn't read this city's ADU code yet, so we're showing California state rules. Check with the city before you plan.
City ADU page: https://www.ceres.gov/730/Accessory-Dwelling-Units---ADU
Hughson (code) (opens the government site in a new tab)
Showing California state rules because Hughson's local rules may conflict with state law or are being challenged
We show the state rules for owner occupancy for ADUs, a deed restriction on ADUs, owner-occupancy rules for junior ADUs that do not depend on shared bathrooms, and replacement parking for junior ADUs in garages. Check with Hughson about how it handles this today.
Modesto (opens the government site in a new tab)
Showing California state rules
We couldn't read this city's ADU code yet, so we're showing California state rules. Check with the city before you plan.
City ADU page: https://www.modestogov.com/2845/Accessory-Dwelling-Units
Newman (opens the government site in a new tab)
Showing California state rules because Newman's local rules may conflict with state law or are being challenged
We show the state rules for older second-unit rules with owner occupancy, a 640 sq ft or 40% size cap, a 6,000 sq ft minimum lot size, and extra parking. Check with Newman about how it handles this today.
Oakdale (planning page) (opens the government site in a new tab)
Showing California state rules because Oakdale's local rules may conflict with state law or are being challenged
We show the state rules for older second residential unit rules that require site plan review. Check with Oakdale about how it handles this today.
Patterson (opens the government site in a new tab)
Showing California state rules because Patterson's local rules may conflict with state law or are being challenged
We show the state rules for an older second-unit chapter that the City's own ADU information says is being updated. Check with Patterson about how it handles this today.
Riverbank (opens the government site in a new tab)
Showing California state rules because Riverbank's local rules may conflict with state law or are being challenged
We show the state rules for an outdated ADU ordinance that the state housing department raised concerns about in a June 2026 letter. Check with Riverbank about how it handles this today.
Turlock (planning page) (opens the government site in a new tab)See our rules summary
Showing Turlock city rules
These are Turlock's own ADU rules on file, shown with the California state rules they build on. Each item says which is which.
Where a Turlock rule may conflict with state law or is being challenged, we show the California state rule instead. This covers limits on combining ADU types and on detached ADUs at multifamily lots, an attached ADU size cap without the state 800 sq ft floor, and design-matching rules.
Waterford (planning page) (opens the government site in a new tab)
Showing California state rules because Waterford's local rules may conflict with state law or are being challenged
We show the state rules for an ADU ordinance from 2020 that a December 2025 state housing department letter says may not reflect current state ADU law, including owner-occupancy rules for junior ADUs. Check with Waterford about how it handles this today.
Unincorporated Stanislaus County (opens the government site in a new tab)See our rules summary
Showing Stanislaus County rules
These are Stanislaus County's own ADU rules on file, shown with the California state rules they build on. Each item says which is which.
Where a Stanislaus County rule may conflict with state law or is being challenged, we show the California state rule instead. This covers a one ADU plus one junior ADU limit on single-family parcels, a recorded covenant for every ADU, and a ban on ADUs where existing uses do not meet County code.

All counties in the ADU directory