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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 1Ch. 13Art. 2§ 66316 Accessory Dwelling Unit Approval

§ 66316 Accessory Dwelling Unit Approval

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 66316 Accessory Dwelling Unit Approval

Key Takeaways

  • •Local rules for building small extra homes (like a backyard cottage) must be simple and quick to approve.
  • •The city or county can't make you jump through extra hoops or get special permission unless the law says so.
  • •If the local rules are too complicated or don't follow this law, they don't count, and the state's easier rules take over.

Example

You want to build a small guest house in your backyard for your parents to live in.

The city can't make you go to a bunch of meetings or get special approval if you follow the basic rules. They have to say 'yes' if your plans meet the simple requirements. If the city's rules are too strict, they don't apply, and you just follow the state's easier rules instead.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 66316 Accessory Dwelling Unit Approval

An existing accessory dwelling unit ordinance governing the creation of an accessory dwelling unit by a local agency or an accessory dwelling ordinance adopted by a local agency shall provide an approval process that includes only ministerial provisions for the approval of accessory dwelling units and shall not include any discretionary processes, provisions, or requirements for those units, except as otherwise provided in this article. If a local agency has an existing accessory dwelling unit ordinance that fails to meet the requirements of this article, that ordinance shall be null and void and that agency shall thereafter apply the standards established in this article for the approval of accessory dwelling units, unless and until the agency adopts an ordinance that complies with this article. (Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 7, Sec. 20. (SB 477) Effective March 25, 2024.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

ordinancepropertyeffective marchcreation

Related Statutes

  • § 66318 Accessory Dwelling Unit Amendments
  • § 66311 Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules
  • § 66319 Accessory Dwelling Unit Density
  • § 66315 Accessory Dwelling Unit Standards
  • § 66322 Accessory Dwelling Unit Parking

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 66316.
View Official Source