City of Cupertino - Santa Clara ADU

Wondering if your community has pre-approved ADU plans? See more details here

Wondering if your community has pre-approved ADU plans? See more details here

A project of the Santa Clara County Planning Collaborative

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Local ADU Rules

City of Cupertino

Last Updated October 21, 2025

ADU Contact:

Phone: 408.777.3308

Email: planning@cupertino.org

General Information	Details
ADU resources	https://www.cupertino.org/our-city/departments/community-development/planning/residential-development/accessory-dwelling-units
Pre-Approved Plans	https://www.cupertino.org/our-city/departments/community-development/planning/residential-development/accessory-dwelling-units/accessory-dwelling-unit-pre-approved-plans
Planning	https://www.cupertino.org/our-city/departments/community-development/planning
Building	https://www.cupertino.org/our-city/departments/community-development/building/permits
School District	Cupertino Union School District https://www.cusdk8.org/departments/business-services/developer-fees
Utilities	PG&E https://www.pge.com/en_US/small-medium-business/building-and-property/building-and-maintenance/building-and-renovation.page See the City of Cupertino Utilities webpage for information on trash service, water service, and sewer service. Service agencies will vary based on your property location. https://www.cupertino.org/our-city/departments/public-works/utilities
County Departments	Santa Clara County Office of the Clerk-Recorder https://clerkrecorder.sccgov.org/home
ADU Ordinance	Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 19.112 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/cupertino/latest/cupertino_ca/0-0-0-95343

Standards and Rules	Details
Process Overview	See the Handout “Steps to A Completed ADU” https://www.cupertino.org/our-city/departments/community-development/planning/residential-development/accessory-dwelling-units Pre-approved Plans: Streamlined ADU process for specific vendors www.cupertino.org/aduplans
Zones allowed	All zones that allow residential development
Minimum ADU Size	150 square feet
Maximum ADU Size	A detached, non-streamlined ADU can be up to 1,200 square feet Internal conversions do not have a maximum size
Number of ADUs/Bedrooms	See the handout “Accessory Dwelling Unit Information Sheet” https://www.cupertino.org/home/showpublisheddocument/29567/637614267944000000
Maximum ADU Height	ADUs may be up to 18 feet Detached two story ADUs typically not permitted
Setbacks	4 feet unless replacing an existing structure Detached units must have a 5-foot separation between the eaves of the structure and the primary house
Lot or Location Restrictions	Non-streamlined units must meet zoning standards
Parking Requirements	No parking required for streamlined ADUs Non-streamlined ADUs: One additional space required unless: Located within one-half (1/2) mile of a public transit stop Located in an architecturally and historically significant historic district The occupant of the unit is not allowed/offered a required on-street parking permit Located within one block of a car share vehicle pick-up location Is part of the proposed or existing primary residence or an accessory structure
Other Requirements
Owner Occupancy	On a property with a JADU, the property owner must live in either the JADU or the primary dwelling unit
Deed Restrictions	Recording of deed restriction documenting JADU-related owner-occupancy rules
Renting Regulations	Generally, ADUs and JADUs cannot be rented for fewer than 30 days at a time
Departments and Agencies Involved in Permitting	City of Cupertino – Planning, Building, Public Works, Environmental Services Outside Agencies – Santa Clara County Fire, Cupertino Sanitary or, Sunnyvale Sanitary, San Jose Water
Fees for ADUs	City impact fees are waived for ADUs below 750 sq ft
Sample Fees From Recently Built Projects	New, Detached ADU, 743 sq ft Advanced Planning Fee – $163.46 Construction Tax – $901.29 Strong Motion Fee Cat. 1 – $35.1 CBSC Fee – $11 Plan Check – $1780 Inspection – $2223 Address Assignment – $446 Total: $5,559.85

Wondering what you can build?

Make sure you check out our Learning the Rules page for more step-by-step details