The purpose of this chapter is to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) consistent with California Code of Regulations Title 7, Division 1, Chapter 13, and California Government Code Sections 66310 through 66342, as may be renumbered or amended (ADU/JADU State law).

(§ 1, Ord. 1414-20 (CM), eff. November 26, 2020, as amended by § 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025. Formerly 14-23.006)

This chapter allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in all zones which permit single-family or multifamily dwellings or religious assembly uses and allows junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) in all zones which permit single-family dwellings. ADUs and JADUs shall be governed by the requirements set forth in ADU/JADU State law referenced above, except in cases outlined in this chapter where the City of Watsonville is more permissive.

(§ 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025)

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 66319, ADUs that conform to Section 66314 are not included in the minimum or maximum density calculations established by the underlying zoning district. Pursuant to California Government Code Sections 66337 and 66338, JADUs shall not be considered a separate or new dwelling unit, and thus not included in density calculations.

(§ 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025)

(a)    Objective Standards for State-Exempt ADUs. State-exempt units must meet the objective standards expressly provided in California Government Code Section 66323. No additional development standards, design standards, or discretionary review requirements shall be imposed on a State-exempt unit beyond those expressly provided in California Government Code Section 66323.

(b)    Objective Standards for Nonexempt ADUs. Nonexempt ADUs shall comply with the standards set forth in California Government Code Sections 66314 through 66332, except as otherwise provided herein, where the City of Watsonville establishes more permissive standards.

(c)    Objective Standards for JADUs. Nonexempt JADUs shall comply with the standards set forth in California Government Code Sections 66323 and 66333 through 66339, except as otherwise provided herein, where the City of Watsonville establishes more permissive standards.

(d)    Maximum Units and ADU Living Area for Large Lots. The maximum permitted number of units and living area for nonexempt ADUs on large lots (ten thousand (10,000) square feet or more in area) in any residential district shall be the greater of the allowance provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or the standards set forth in Table 1.

(e)    Maximum Building Height. The maximum building height for any nonexempt units on any one (1) parcel in any residential district shall be as set forth in California Government Code Section 66321(b)(4).

(f)    Height Incentive. ADUs may exceed the maximum height limits established in California Government Code Section 66321 as set forth in Table 2 if on-site dedicated parking (one (1) space per ADU) is provided for the ADU.

(g)    Accessory Structures. If a nonexempt ADU is not attached to an existing dwelling unit but is attached to or above an accessory structure, that accessory structure shall comply with the following:

(1)    The accessory structure shall not contain any restroom facilities.

(2)    The attached accessory structure may have interior access to the ADU.

(§ 1, Ord. 1414-20 (CM), eff. November 26, 2020, as amended by § 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025)

(a)    Exterior. The exterior design of a nonexempt ADU unit shall match the architectural style, roof form and pitch, exterior colors and finishes of the existing dwelling unit and/or the multifamily development when the existing structure is listed on a local, State or national historic register, or be eligible to be on such register.

(b)    Private Open Space/Patios and Decks. Each detached ADU associated with an existing or new single-family unit, or a detached ADU associated with a new multifamily unit, shall include a deck or patio directly adjoining the ADU. The minimum private open space required for each ADU shall be no less than ninety-six (96) square feet with a minimum dimension of eight (8') feet in either direction for a deck or patio and twenty (20) square feet for landscaping.

(c)    Window Design. Windows on the upper-floor ADU that face an adjoining residential property shall be limited to clerestory windows or windows with frosted glass.

(§ 1, Ord. 1414-20 (CM), eff. November 26, 2020, as amended by § 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025)

Except when the primary dwelling or existing multifamily structure does not require a sprinkler system, all newly constructed ADUs and JADUs shall comply with Chapter 8-9 (Fire Code) for residential fire sprinkler systems.

(§ 1, Ord. 1414-20 (CM), eff. November 26, 2020, as amended by § 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025)

(a)    JADUs. No parking spaces are required for JADUs in accordance with California Government Code Section 66334.

(b)    State-Exempt ADUs. No parking spaces are required per California Government Code Section 66323.

(c)    Nonexempt ADUs. One (1) parking space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less, per California Government Code Section 66314(d)(10) and the exceptions identified in Section 66322.

(d)    The main residential unit(s) shall comply with the City’s parking and loading ordinance in Chapter 14-17, except for conversions of existing covered parking to accommodate an ADU, in which case replacement covered parking shall not be required.

(§ 1, Ord. 1414-20 (CM), eff. November 26, 2020, as amended by § 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025)

(a)    An ADU developed by a qualified nonprofit housing developer may be sold separately from the primary dwelling, if all requirements of California Government Code Sections 66340 through 66342 are met.

(b)    The ADU is subject to all provisions and requirements outlined in Chapter 14-46 (Affordable Housing Ordinance), including but not limited to affordability covenants, income eligibility restrictions, and ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements.

This section is intended to facilitate the creation and preservation of affordable housing units while ensuring long-term affordability and compliance with applicable State and local regulations.

(§ 1, Ord. 1414-20 (CM), eff. November 26, 2020, as amended by § 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025)

Impact fees charged for the construction of ADUs shall be in accordance with California Government Code Section 66324 and impact fees for JADUs shall be in accordance with California Government Code Section 66338.

(§ 1, Ord. 1414-20 (CM), eff. November 26, 2020, as amended by § 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025)

Requirements for utility connections shall be in accordance with Section 66324 of the California Government Code for ADUs and Section 66338 of the California Government Code for JADUs.

(§ 1, Ord. 1414-20 (CM), eff. November 26, 2020, as amended by § 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025)

Until 2030, any ADU constructed without permits before January 1, 2020, that face code enforcement action may request a delay of up to five (5) years in enforcement so long as the illegally constructed unit complies with Section 17980.12 of the California Health and Safety Code. Additionally, a property owner may request amnesty from code enforcement if the property owner discloses the code violation to the City before January 1, 2030.

(a)    If the owner is requesting amnesty and/or a delay in code enforcement, the owner shall submit an application to the Building Official requesting that enforcement of the violation be delayed for five (5) years from the activation date of the code enforcement case, on the basis that correcting the violation is not necessary to protect health and safety.

(b)    The Building Official may approve the application for delay in code enforcement action if the Building Official finds that correcting the violation is not necessary to protect health and safety.

(§ 1, Ord. 1414-20 (CM), eff. November 26, 2020, as amended by § 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025)

(a)    Certificate of Occupancy. The City shall not issue a certificate of occupancy for an ADU before the City issues a certificate of occupancy for the primary dwelling, or as per Section 66328 of the California Government Code.

(b)    Length of Tenancy. State-exempt units shall not be rented for a period less than thirty (30) days.

(c)    Owner Occupancy of JADUs. For all proposed JADUs, owner-occupancy in the single-family dwelling or the newly created JADU is required, or as per California Government Code Section 66333(b).

(d)    JADU Deed Restriction. A deed restriction on any JADU unit shall be recorded at the County of Santa Cruz Recorder’s Office per the requirements of California Government Code Section 66333(c). Proof of recordation shall be provided to the City before building permit issuance.

(e)    ADU Sale Prohibited. An ADU shall not be sold or otherwise conveyed separately from the main building unless it meets the conditions of Section 14-23.070.

(f)    Lot Split. Pursuant to the authority provided by Section 65852.21(f) of the California Government Code, notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, no accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted on any lot in the R-1 or R-1P zone if an urban lot split has previously been approved for the lot pursuant to Chapter 13-13 herein.

(§ 1, Ord. 1414-20 (CM), eff. November 26, 2020, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1442-22 (CM), eff. November 24, 2022, and § 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025)

(a)    An application for an ADU shall be reviewed per the requirements of Sections 66317, 66322(b), 66323 and 66332 of the California Government Code.

(b)    An application for a permit for a JADU shall be reviewed per the requirements of Sections 66317, 66323, 66332, and 66334 through 66339 of the California Government Code.

(§ 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025)