Permit Sonoma › Regulations and Initiatives › Housing Types › Accessory Units and Junior Units

Accessory Dwelling Units & Junior Accessory Dwelling Units

backyard accessory dwelling unit

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are an inexpensive way to create smaller, more affordable rental housing units that may provide revenue streams for property owners, while increasing the availability of rental housing in the county.

What's the difference between an ADU, a JADU, and a guest house?

ADU vs. JADU

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are allowed in conjunction with a primary single-family or multi-family dwelling in residential, mixed-use, or agricultural zones.
ADUs may be attached or detached from the main dwelling.
Most residential zoning districts allow one ADU unless the property has the "Z" (Accessory Dwelling Unit Exclusion) overlay zoning district.
ADUs can be rented for long-term occupancy, but they cannot be used as short-term rentals.

Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU)

Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are created out of space within an existing single-family home.
JADUs may be up to 500 square feet in size.
A JADU is created by adding a small kitchen and exterior door to space in an existing single-family dwelling. It may include a bathroom or may share a bathroom with the primary dwelling.
JADUs are allowed in every zoning district that allows a single-family dwelling.
JADUs can be rented for long-term occupancy, but cannot be used as short-term rentals.