City of Gilroy - 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 Gilroy

Last Updated October 1, 2025

ADU Contact:

Phone: 408-846-0440

Planning Division email: PlanningDivision@cityofgilroy.org

General Information	Details
ADU resources	https://www.cityofgilroy.org/903/Accessory-Dwelling-Units
Pre-Approved Plans
Planning	https://www.cityofgilroy.org/269/Planning
Building	https://www.cityofgilroy.org/209/Building-Safety-Division
School District	Gilroy Unified School District See “Developer Fees” under the Business Services Department https://www.gilroyunified.org/departments/business-services
Utilities	PG&E https://www.pge.com/en_US/small-medium-business/building-and-property/building-and-maintenance/building-and-renovation.page City of Gilroy Development Services https://www.cityofgilroy.org/380/Water-Sewer Recology South Valley https://www.recology.com/recology-south-valley/gilroy/ Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency https://scv-habitatagency.org/
County Departments	Santa Clara County Office of the Clerk-Recorder https://clerkrecorder.sccgov.org/home
ADU Ordinance	Gilroy City Code Chapter 30.54.10 https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Gilroy/#!/Gilroy30/Gilroy3054.html#30.54

Standards and Rules	Details
Process Overview	Submit Building Permit application to: https://www.cityofgilroy.org/GOpermit See Submittal Guidelines here: https://www.cityofgilroy.org/DocumentCenter/View/12309/Accessory-Dwelling-Unit-and-Jr-ADU-Plan-Submittal-Guidelines
Zones allowed	R1, R2, R3, R4, RH
Minimum ADU Size	150 square feet
Maximum ADU Size	500 square feet for JADU 1,000 square feet for ADU
Number of ADUs/Bedrooms	One ADU and one JADU are allowed on a property with an existing or proposed single-family home Two detached ADUs are allowed on a multi-family developed property, and up to 25% of the existing multi-family dwelling units or at least one unit may be converted from existing non-livable space
Maximum ADU Height	16′ for a detached ADU proposed on a lot with a single-family home or one-story multi-family dwelling structure 18′ for a detached ADU within ½-mile walking distance to a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor on a lot with a single-family home or multi-family dwelling structure 18′ for a detached ADU on a lot with an existing or proposed multi-story multi-family dwelling structure 24′ for a detached ADU above a detached garage on a lot with a single-family home 25′ for an ADU attached to an existing or proposed single-family home
Setbacks	ADUs may not encroach upon the required front yard area unless necessary to accommodate an 800 sq ft ADU 4 feet from the side and rear lot lines is required for a newly constructed ADU that is not replacing an existing structure
Lot or Location Restrictions
Parking Requirements	One off-street parking space is required for newly constructed ADUs A parking space shall not be required if: Within one-half mile walking distance of public transit Within an architecturally and historically significant historic district Within one block of a car share vehicle On a street where on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupant of the ADU Built as part of a new home No additional parking space is required for a JADU or ADU on a multi-family developed property
Other Requirements	New residential units, including ADUs, are required to complete a Nitrogen Deposition Only Application and pay a fee to the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency.
Owner Occupancy	Owner occupancy of the property is required when there is a JADU; the owner must reside in the primary single-family residence, JADU or ADU on the property See https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Gilroy/#!/Gilroy30/Gilroy3054.html#30.54
Deed Restrictions	ADU/JADU affidavit required
Renting Regulations	Generally, ADUs and JADUs cannot be rented for fewer than 30 days at a time
Departments and Agencies Involved in Permitting	Planning, Building, Fire, and Engineering
Fees for ADUs	Building permit fee based on construction valuation, address fee, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing fees, technology fee, general plan fee, state fees including SMIP and BSARF, plan check fees, impact fees on units greater than 750 sf, and school district fees on units greater than 500 sf.
Sample Fees From Recently Built Projects

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