The County of Monterey Auditor-Controller’s office has established a webpage with Frequently Asked Questions concerning Measure K and the Bond Repayment Tax Rate Correction.

Home Home Menu

| County Home

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Accessory Dwelling Unit Plans and Info

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

The County of Monterey is excited to share with you our new Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) plans as a way to expand affordable housing within Monterey County.

In an effort to streamline the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) building process, Monterey County has developed three Pre-Designed ADU plans, made available to homeowners for their use. In order for a construction permit to be issued, these pre-designed plans shall be submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development for each project, and are subject to the typical review process.

The program includes three floorplans and two exterior architectural styles, "Santa Lucia Modern" and "Ventana Ranch".

Floorplans available are: One Bedroom ADU (515 GSF), Two Bedroom ADU (749 GSF), and Three Bedroom ADU (1200 GSF), which includes the option to omit a second bathroom in favor of small office/den in the same space. Foundations for each ADU are designed as typical slab on grade with monolithic footings per CRC/CBC presumptive soils values. Any project site that does not meet the conditions described will need to seek a soils report for their individual site and develop a custom foundation plan.

graduates or newlyweds moving into new ADU

Young couple choosing paints for new home

Healthcare worker and grandfather playing chess outside of ADU

Young Asian Family saving money in their new home

Young African American family smiling outside their new home

Reasons & Benefits to Building an ADU

Expanding your backyard space into living quarters offers many benefits.

Value - Accessory Dwelling Units are a valuable form of housing in California.
Senior living, student quarters, and more - Accessory Dwelling Units provide housing for family members, students, the elderly, in-home health care providers, people with disabilities, and others, at below market prices within existing neighborhoods.
Extra Income - Homeowners who create Accessory Dwelling Units benefit from added rental income and an increased sense of security, however, Accessory Dwelling Units cannot be used for Short Term Rentals.
Additional Housing -Allowing Accessory Dwelling Units in single-family or multifamily residential zones provides additional rental housing stock in California, as California faces a severe housing crisis.
Build Green- The state is falling far short of meeting current and future housing demand with serious consequences for the state's economy, our ability to build green infill consistent with state greenhouse gas reduction goals, and the well-being of our citizens, particularly lower and middle-income earners.
Land Conservation - Accessory Dwelling Units offer lower cost housing to meet the needs of existing and future residents within existing neighborhoods, while respecting architectural character. Adding an ADU to your existing property places another housing unit on the market without the need for consuming additional land.
Increased Property Value - An ADU adds value to your property. When it comes time to sell, potential buyers will see your ADU as an asset with a multitude of possibilities.
Essential to California - Accessory Dwelling Units are, therefore, an essential component of California's housing supply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are ADU’s subject to site development standards?

A. ADUs are subject to site development standards except that an existing structure may be converted to an ADU, and a new ADU may maintain a 4 foot side setback and a height of up to 16 feet. There may also be exceptions if site development standards would preclude construction of at least an 800 square foot ADU. Please review the 21.64.030 - Regulations for accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units for details.

Q. What are the current ADU Ordinances?

A. Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) Ordinance (Inland Zoning Area) - NOTE: Adopted by Board of Supervisors September 15, 2020 – Effective Date October 16, 2020

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) Ordinance (Coastal Zoning Area)

Q. What will I need to submit if I am applying for a pre-approved ADU?

A. Please follow the ADU Development Standards Checklist.

Q. Can I modify Pre-approval ADU plans?

A. The plans are customizable with certain features but changes outside of that would be considered a new custom ADU and would need a new plan review.

Q. Do I need a planning permit to build an ADU?

A. It depends on the zoning and other resource based factors. Generally an ADU is an allowed use in the Inland areas of the County but Design Approval, tree removal, or other factors may apply. A Coastal Administrative Permit is required in the Coastal Zone. Please contact our offices at (831) 755-5233 to review.

Q. I have questions about working with the Environmental Health Bureau.

A. Please see the section below for details regarding working with the EHB.

Q. What is a “Water Permit” and do I need one?

A. Find more information on water permits on the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District website.

How Do I Get Started?

Building an ADU in Monterey County?

Review our quick reference guide.

Step 1: Learn about ADU regulations

If you have questions about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Monterey County or need information on our County's ADU regulations (Inland or Coastal), talk to a Permit Technician/Planner at 831-755-5025.

Step 2: Site your ADU

Bring your ADU vision to reality! Hire a designer or architect that can draft a site plan for your pre-designed ADU. A designer or architect can work HCD's Permit Center to ensure the location of the ADU is consistent with Monterey County Code.

Step 3: Submit your ADU plans

Time to submit your new ADU to HCD Permit Center for review! To submit ADU plans and other required forms, please visit the Online Permit Information page and apply via Accela Citizen’s Access, or visit our permit counter at 1441 Schilling Place, 2nd Floor, Salinas. Your building designer or architect can do this for you, or you can apply as a property owner.

Once your Construction Permit is issued, construction can begin.

Note: During the construction process, your ADU will require a building inspection.

Step 4: New ADU Built

Once the ADU is complete and the final inspection takes place, your ADU is ready for a loved one or a tenant to live in.

ADUs and Septic Systems or Private Water Sources

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) and the Environmental Health Bureau (EHB).

From the EHB’s perspective, a prospective ADU will be evaluated for adequate domestic (potable) water supply and/or sewage disposal. EHB does not routinely review construction permit applications for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) that will connect to municipal water and sewer systems. Exceptions include when the project or site includes an onsite well, graywater system or rainwater catchment system, in which case Housing & Community Development – Building Department will route the application to EHB to confirm compliance with applicable standards.

It is important to note that the size of an existing septic tank and leachfield is only one of several factors that will determine if a site is suitable to allow construction of an ADU. In most cases, properties less than 1.25 acres and served by a septic system will require use of an Alternative OWTS with supplemental treatment to accommodate an ADU. Please visit the Land Use Projects and Permits page of the EHB website or the links below to learn more.

Applicants should complete the "NAME OF SEWER DISTRICT/SEPTIC" and "NAME OF WATER SYSTEM" fields on page 1 of the Construction Permit Application.

The water system connection lists below may help applicants understand the water source for their site.

Use the EHB’s online record request tool to inquire whether the EHB has a septic system record for a property and to request a copy.

If you have additional questions, please contact the EHB at (831) 755-4505 to schedule a phone call with a Land Use specialist to discuss your concept further. Please have the existing septic information available to aid the discussion.

In The News

One Bedroom Pre-Designed ADUs

Santa Lucia Modern - 1B

Ventana Ranch - 1B

One Bedroom Floor Plan

Two Bedroom Pre-Designed ADUs

Santa Lucia Modern - 2B

Ventana Ranch - 2B

Two Bedroom Floor Plan

Three Bedroom Pre-Designed ADUs

Santa Lucia Modern - 3B

Santa Lucia Modern 3 BDRM 3 bdrm Santa Lucia Modern

The Santa Lucia Modern is a detached 1200 gross square foot (GSF) Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) consisting of three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, kitchen/great room, and a laundry room. Bath #1 and adjacent closet may be omitted and replaced with a small den at the same location, accessed from great room. Refer to project checklist for selected options.

*The three bedroom plan requires payment of impact fees.

Ventana Ranch - 3B

Ventana Ranch 3 BDRM 3 Bdrm Ventana

The Ventana Ranch is a detached 1200 gross square foot (GSF) Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) consisting of three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, kitchen/great room, and a laundry room. Bath #1 and ajacent closet may be omitted and replaced with a small den at the same location, accessed from great room. Refer to project checklist for selected options.

*The three bedroom plan requires payment of impact fees.

Three Bedroom Floor Plan

1441 Schilling Place

South 2nd Floor

Salinas, CA 93901

831-755-5025

Sitemap

View Full Site