ADU types we build in Fresno

How do I choose the right ADU type?

Look at the lot before the floor plan. A sound garage is often the cheapest route to a legal unit. A deep, open backyard suits a detached ADU. A house with an unused bedroom wing may only need a junior ADU.

Then think about who will live there. A long-term tenant usually values a private entrance and a separate yard. An aging parent may prefer a unit close to the main house, or one with no steps at all.

How many ADUs can one Fresno lot have?

As of October 2026, state law (Government Code §66323) lets a single-family lot combine one ADU converted from existing space, one new detached ADU of up to 800 sq ft, and one junior ADU. Lots with apartments follow separate counts, and junior ADUs are not allowed on them.

What are the main size and height limits?

• Detached ADU: 4-foot side and rear setbacks; 16 feet tall in general, or 18 feet within a half-mile of qualifying transit (plus up to 2 feet to match the house roof pitch).
• Garage conversion: stays within the existing footprint, with up to 150 sq ft more allowed for entry and exit.
• Attached ADU: up to 25 feet tall or the zone's height limit, whichever is lower.
• Junior ADU: 500 sq ft or less of interior living space, inside a single-family home.

Local size caps cannot fall below 850 sq ft, or 1,000 sq ft for a unit with more than one bedroom.

Limits as of October 2026, from the HCD ADU Handbook (March 2026) and California Government Code §§66314, 66321 and 66323. Fresno's own rules sit in Municipal Code §15-2754; we confirm them for each address.