Stanislaus County

Turlock ADU rules

Research summary of local ADU rules on file for Turlock in Stanislaus County. Not a determination for a specific lot.

Last checked October 24, 2026.

City or county ADU page

Turlock Planning department. No ADU-specific page was found.

Turlock 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.

Local ADU rules
Turlock's ADU rules are in Municipal Code § 9-2-119, repealed and re-enacted by Ordinance 1312-CS (June 14, 2024). Applications that meet the standards are processed ministerially, with no discretionary zoning permit.
Source: Turlock Municipal Code § 9-2-119 Accessory dwelling units (eCode360), § 9-2-119(c), accessed 2026-10-24.

Detached ADU size
A detached ADU may be up to 1,200 sq ft.
Source: Turlock Municipal Code § 9-2-119 Accessory dwelling units (eCode360), § 9-2-119(c)(5), accessed 2026-10-24.

Height
Detached ADU: 16 ft; 18 ft within a half mile walk of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor, or on a multifamily lot. ADU over a detached garage: two stories and the zone's limit. Attached ADU: 25 ft or the zone's limit, whichever is lower, and two stories.
Source: Turlock Municipal Code § 9-2-119 Accessory dwelling units (eCode360), § 9-2-119(c)(7), accessed 2026-10-24.

Setbacks
New detached ADUs: 4 ft from side and rear lines. No added setback for a converted garage or accessory structure, a same-footprint replacement, or an ADU inside the home where fire access is sufficient.
Source: Turlock Municipal Code § 9-2-119 Accessory dwelling units (eCode360), § 9-2-119(c)(8), accessed 2026-10-24.

Lot coverage
Lot coverage limits apply only so far as they still allow an 800 sq ft ADU with 4 ft side and rear setbacks.
Source: Turlock Municipal Code § 9-2-119 Accessory dwelling units (eCode360), § 9-2-119(c)(9), accessed 2026-10-24.

Parking
One added space (covered, uncovered or tandem) unless the ADU is inside the home or an existing accessory structure, within a half mile walk of transit, where on-street permits are not offered, on a street under 20 ft wide, in a historic district, or near car share. No replacement parking is required.
Source: Turlock Municipal Code § 9-2-119 Accessory dwelling units (eCode360), § 9-2-119(c)(12), accessed 2026-10-24.

Rentals and sale
ADUs and JADUs may be rented but not for 30 days or less, and may not be sold separately except under Gov. Code § 65852.26.
Source: Turlock Municipal Code § 9-2-119 Accessory dwelling units (eCode360), § 9-2-119(c)(13), accessed 2026-10-24.

Junior ADUs
One JADU per parcel, 150 to 500 sq ft inside the main home, with its own entrance and an efficiency kitchen; it may share the main home's bathroom. No added parking.
Source: Turlock Municipal Code § 9-2-119 Accessory dwelling units (eCode360), § 9-2-119(d), accessed 2026-10-24.

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 Turlock?

State law sets a baseline for ADUs in Turlock, 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 Turlock Development Services Department, or run a free address summary.

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