What Can I Do With My Property & Home?

Identify your zoning, allowable land uses, subdivision options, lot split information, requirements for accessory dwelling units, and more!

Additional Unit Regulations (ADUs)

Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU and JADU)

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a residential unit that can be added to a lot with an existing single-family home or multi-family development. ADUs on single-family zoned properties can either be detached (such as a separate building in a backyard), attached to a part of the primary residence as an addition, or converted from an existing garage or other part of the primary residence. ADUs on multi-family zoned properties must meet certain City or State standards and it is recommended that you contact planning staff at planning@atascadero.org or 805-461-5035 prior to moving forward with a design.

A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) is a section of an existing single-family home that is repurposed as a private dwelling by incorporating a small kitchen and separate entrance. JADUs must be located within the existing primary residence and be no greater than 500 square feet in size. JADUs require owner occupancy either in the primary residence or accessory unit.

Learn More | View Pre-Designed ADU Stock Plans

Identify Your Zoning

Identify Your Property’s Zoning to understand what is allowed in your zoning designation.

Check for Allowed Land Uses

See what land uses are allowed within your property's zoning designation:

Review City Land Use Definitions

To understand how your proposed project is classified in the land use table review City Land Use Definitions.

Subdivision and Lot Split Regulations

To understand the subdivision and lot split process.

Senate Bill 9 (SB9)

Senate Bill 9 became effective on January 1, 2022. This bill requires a proposed housing development containing no more than two residential units (SB 9 2-Unit Housing Development) within a single-family residential zone to be considered ministerially, or without discretionary review or public hearing, if the proposed housing development meets certain objective requirements. SB 9 also requires the local agency to ministerially approve an Urban Lot Split in a single-family residential zone if it meets certain objective requirements. In both cases, the City may apply objective zoning standards, objective subdivision standards, and objective design standards. Please refer to the City’s SB 9 Handout for more information.

Key Takeaways

SB 9 allows up to four (4) units on a single-family residentially zoned lot through an SB 9 Urban Lot Split.
SB 9 requires the City to approve either or both:
- SB 9 2-Unit Housing Development: A housing development of no more than two units (duplex) on a single-family residentially zoned lot.
- Urban Lot Splits: Allows for a lot split (a single-family lot split into two lots).

City of Atascadero Adoption of SB 9 Urgency Ordinance

The City of Atascadero adopted an SB 9 Ordinance establishing regulations pertaining to two-unit residential developments and urban lot splits in single-family residential zones in the City, pursuant to Senate Bill 9, which became effective on January 1, 2022. SB 9 requires the City to ministerially approve two-unit residential development and urban lot splits in single-family residential districts subject only to objective standards. This ordinance establishes objective standards in compliance with SB 9, including regulations relating to lot configuration, unit size, height, setback, landscape, architectural review, among other things, without which two-unit residential development and urban lot splits would threaten the character of existing neighborhoods, and negatively impact property values, personal privacy, and fire safety.

View the City of Atascadero SB 9 Ordinance.

View the Senate Bill 9 State Law.

Accessory Structure Regulations

To understand what is required to build additional structures that are not intended for living purposes (garages, workshops, barns, sheds or detached offices) on your property, review the regulations found in the City’s Zoning Code Section 9-6.106 Residential accessory uses.