At
North County ADU Construction Contractors, we watched when on February 3, 2026, the Carlsbad City Council unanimously adopted a major update to its Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance. These changes were specifically designed to bring the city into full compliance with several new California state laws (such as SB 1211 and AB 2533) that took effect on January 1, 2026.
Here is the breakdown of the new size and height limits for Carlsbad:
1. Size Limit Updates
The council standardized the maximum allowable square footage to provide more flexibility for homeowners, specifically removing older, more restrictive local caps.
- Detached ADUs: Now capped at
1,200 square feet for all single-family lots, regardless of the size of the primary home.
- Attached ADUs: Limited to
50% of the main dwelling’s area or 1,200 square feet, whichever is greater (but the city can never deny you at least 800 square feet).
- Junior ADUs (JADUs): Remain capped at
500 square feet and must be contained within the existing primary residence.
2. Height Limit Changes
Perhaps the most significant change was the removal of the city's previous "one-story maximum" for most units.
- The Baseline: The standard height for a detached ADU is
16 feet.
- Transit/Garage Bonus: You can now build up to
18 feet (allowing for taller ceilings or lofts) if the ADU is:
- Within 0.5 miles of a major transit stop (like the Carlsbad Village or Poinsettia Coaster stations).
- Built on a multi-family lot.
- Matching Roof Pitch: The city now allows an extra 2 feet (up to
20 feet) specifically to help the ADU's roof pitch match the architectural style of the primary home.
- Attached/Two-Story Units: Attached ADUs can now reach up to
25 feet (or the height limit of the underlying zone) and are permitted to be
two stories.
3. New Unit & Parking Rules
Beyond size and height, the 2026 update changed how many units you can have on one property:
- The "Triple Threat": On a single-family lot, you can now have
three units total: 1 JADU, 1 Converted ADU (like a garage conversion), and 1 New Attached/Detached ADU.
- No Replacement Parking: In most of Carlsbad, if you convert your garage into an ADU, you are
no longer required to replace those parking spaces.
- Note: A small exception remains for specific areas west of the rail corridor/I-5 to protect coastal access parking.
4. "Are the impact fees still waived?"
Cost is the biggest barrier in North County, and residents are constantly checking the "threshold" for fees.
- The Rule: ADUs
under 750 sq. ft. are exempt from most development impact fees.
- The 2026 Bonus: New legislation (SB 543) clarifies that units
under 500 sq. ft. are also exempt from
school impact fees, providing a significant "sweet spot" for small studio builds or JADUs.
5. "Can I sell my ADU as a condo in Carlsbad yet?"
With the passage of
AB 1033, California now allows cities to opt-in to a program that lets homeowners sell their ADU separately from the main house (like a condo).
- The Status: Carlsbad homeowners are frequently searching to see if the city has officially adopted this ordinance. As of early 2026, many San Diego County cities are still in the "study phase," but it remains a top-tier question for those looking to "cash out" on their backyard investment.
