Sacramento County has many different residential accessory use classifications, ranging from guest houses to chicken coops. Applicable development standards depend on the use classification, and can also depend on your property's zoning and location.
Please review the following questions to determine what standards apply to your project.
- Yes. Will the structure be used for ongoing habitation (i.e., someone sleeping there more than 10 days a month)? Yes. You are building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). See this summary of Accessory Dwelling Unit and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit Standards (updated July 11, 2024). Note: ADUs cannot be used for short-term rental units.
- No. You are building a Guest House, which is classified as a type of Residential Accessory Structure. See this summary of Residential Accessory Structure Standards. Note: guest houses cannot be used as any type of rental unit..
For more information, please email us at Sacplan@Saccounty.gov.
