The Complete Thousand Oaks ADU Requirements Guide
If you’re thinking of building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Thousand Oaks, understanding the city’s regulations is essential. An ADU is a self-contained housing unit that shares a lot with a primary residence. It can be detached or attached to the main house, or it can be a conversion of an attic or garage. However you use it, an ADU can help you maximize the value of your property.
Keep reading to learn the rules and regulations for ADUs in Thousand Oaks and how to start building yours with Samara.
Thousand Oaks ADU regulations at a glance
Thousand Oaks permits ADUs on most residential properties, including single-family and multi-family lots. The city reviews ADU applications within 60 days, and most projects take three to four months to permit. These standards apply within Thousand Oaks city limits; nearby cities may have different rules.
Size and lot requirements
The size restrictions placed on an ADU depend on whether the unit is detached, attached, or a junior ADU (JADU).
- Detached ADUs can be up to 850 square feet for studio or one-bedroom units, or up to 1,000 square feet for units with two or more bedrooms. The maximum height is 16 feet, or 18 feet if the lot is within a half mile of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor. An additional 2 feet is allowed to match the roof pitch of the primary dwelling.
- Attached ADUs can be up to 850 square feet or 50 percent of the primary dwelling’s floor area, whichever is greater. Height can match the primary home, up to a maximum of 25 feet.
- Junior ADUs (JADUs) must be located within the walls of the main home and can be up to 500 square feet.
All ADUs must have at least 4-foot side and rear setbacks. The front setback must match that of the primary residence.
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Design requirements
Thousand Oaks requires ADUs to share visual elements with the primary home. For attached or converted ADUs, this includes matching exterior walls, roof, eaves, windows, and doors. Detached ADUs must incorporate at least one wall material and one color from the main house. Roof slope should match the dominant pitch of the primary structure. Rooftop decks are not permitted.
Parking requirements
One off-street parking space is required for ADUs with one or more bedrooms. No parking is required for studio ADUs or for JADUs. Parking is also not required if the property is within half a mile of public transit, in a historic district, or meets other state exemption criteria.
Zoning eligibility
In Thousand Oaks, ADUs are permitted on properties zoned for residential use, including single-family, duplex, and multi-family lots. A primary dwelling must already exist or be proposed on the lot.
Number of ADUs allowed
Thousand Oaks allows one ADU—whether attached, detached, or a conversion—and one JADU on single-family lots.
Multi-family lots with existing residential units may add up to eight new detached ADUs, as long as the total number does not exceed the existing unit count. Non-livable interior areas, such as storage rooms or offices, can also be converted into ADUs, up to 25% of the number of existing units.
Meet the KurodasStreamline your Thousand Oaks ADU project
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.
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With five prefab models, Samara has an ADU for every yard.
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