The Complete Burlingame ADU Requirements Guide
If you’re thinking of building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Burlingame, learning the requirements early on is essential. Thanks to a series of statewide ADU laws, it’s now easier to add an ADU in nearly every residential zone. Burlingame adopted updated rules in late 2024 to stay aligned with state legislation, making the process more consistent and straightforward for homeowners.
An ADU is a self-contained housing unit added to a residential property with living, cooking, and sanitation provisions. Read on to learn the requirements for ADUs in Burlingame and how Samara can help you build one.
Burlingame ADU regulations at a glance
Most ADU permits in Burlingame are approved in three to four months. The city is required to review complete submissions within 60 days. ADUs are allowed on any residential lot with an existing or proposed home. While local zoning rules still apply, California law overrides any standard that would prevent a qualifying ADU.
Size and lot requirements
There is no minimum lot size for an ADU in Burlingame. Size and height limits vary by type:
- Detached ADUs can be up to 1,000 square feet. The base height limit is 16 feet. Up to 18 feet is allowed on lots near a major transit stop or with an existing or proposed multifamily building. Up to 20 feet is permitted if the ADU matches the primary home’s roof pitch.
- Attached ADUs can also be up to 1,000 square feet. They can be built up to 30 feet tall or the height limit of the underlying zone, whichever is lower. In the Hillside Overlay Zone, the height is limited to 25 feet. Attached ADUs may not exceed two stories.
- Junior ADUs (JADUs) must be created entirely within the walls of an existing single-family home and are limited to 500 square feet.
All new ADUs must maintain 4-foot side and rear setbacks. Detached units typically need at least 4 feet of separation from other structures. Setbacks do not apply to conversions of existing structures or rebuilds in the same footprint. Additional height is allowed in flood zones if required for elevation.
Samara has an ADU for every yard.
Choose from five prefab models.
supersized.
and then some.
Too perfect.
for everything.
Yay big.
Design requirements
Burlingame applies several objective design standards to ADUs. All ADUs must be built on a permanent foundation. Balconies, rooftop terraces, and second-story decks aren’t allowed. Where possible, the entrance to the ADU should face the side or rear of the property rather than the same street as the main home.
Parking requirements
Most ADUs in Burlingame require one off-street parking space, which may be located in the driveway or setback areas. No parking is required if the ADU is within half a mile of public transit, located in a historic district, part of an existing structure, within one block of a car-share location, or on a lot with restricted permit parking. No replacement parking is required if a garage or carport is converted to an ADU. Junior ADUs never require parking.
Zoning eligibility
ADUs are allowed on any lot zoned for single-family or multi-family residential use, as long as a primary home exists or is proposed. JADUs are only allowed in single-family residential zones and must be part of the main house.
Number of ADUs allowed
On single-family lots, you can build one detached or attached ADU, plus one JADU within the main home.
On multifamily lots, you can build up to eight detached ADUs—or fewer, if that would exceed the number of existing units—and interior conversion ADUs totaling up to 25% of the unit count. If the multifamily building is still under construction, up to two detached ADUs are allowed during development.
Meet the KurodasStreamline your ADU project in Burlingame
If you’re looking to build an ADU, Samara makes it easy. We handle everything from permits to installation and even offer our own financing. Call us at 650-420-2607 to schedule a 15-minute consultation and discover how simple adding a Backyard ADU can be.
Sources:
With five prefab models, Samara has an ADU for every yard.
Explore the lineup
You’ve subscribed to Samara updates.