This is a plain-English summary of Oxnard’s ADU rules under Ordinance No. 3072 (adopted January 6, 2026) and California ADU law. Rules change and every lot is different, so confirm details with the City of Oxnard Planning Division or your builder before you design.
How many units
| Property | What you can add |
|---|---|
| Single-family lot | One ADU (attached, converted or detached) plus one junior ADU; a detached ADU can be combined with a junior ADU |
| Multifamily lot (existing) | Converted ADUs in non-living space, at least one and up to 25% of existing units, plus up to 8 detached ADUs, not more than the number of existing units |
| Multifamily lot (proposed) | Up to 2 detached ADUs |
Size limits
- Detached ADU: up to 850 sq ft (one bedroom or less) or 1,200 sq ft (more than one bedroom)
- Attached ADU: up to 1,200 sq ft or 50% of the main house, whichever is less
- Junior ADU: up to 500 sq ft, entirely within the single-family home
- State guarantee: you can always build at least an 800 sq ft ADU with 4-foot side and rear setbacks, if the lot can physically fit it
Height
- Under Oxnard’s ordinance standards: up to two stories and 25 feet for attached and detached ADUs
- Under the state’s guaranteed standards for detached ADUs: 16 feet on lots with a single-family or multifamily home; 18 feet within half a mile of a major transit stop, plus 2 feet to match the main house’s roof pitch; 18 feet on lots with a multi-story multifamily building
- Conversions of existing legal structures can keep their existing height
Setbacks
- Side and rear: 4 feet
- Front: per the underlying zone, but the front setback cannot prevent an 800 sq ft ADU
- Conversions of existing structures can stay where they are
Parking
- Up to one space per ADU, which can be tandem on the driveway
- No parking required within half a mile walking distance of public transit, in a historic district, for ADUs that are part of the main house, for conversions of existing structures, and in other cases set by state law
- No replacement parking when a garage or carport is converted or demolished for an ADU
Fees
- No impact fees for ADUs of 750 sq ft or less or for junior ADUs
- Proportional impact fees for larger ADUs, based on the size of the main house
- Plan check and permit fees, school fees and utility connection fees still apply
Approval and timing
- Ministerial approval, with no public hearing
- Completeness determination within 15 business days
- Decision within 60 days of a complete application, or 30 days for a detached ADU using a pre-approved plan
Renting and owning
- ADU rentals must be for terms longer than 30 days
- No owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs; junior ADUs may require it
- An ADU generally cannot be sold separately from the main house unless the city adopts a separate program allowing it
Coastal Zone
Properties in Oxnard’s Coastal Zone, including Hollywood Beach, Silver Strand, Mandalay Bay, Oxnard Shores and parts of the Channel Islands Harbor area, may need a coastal development permit in addition to the ADU approvals. Factor this into your timeline.
Historic properties
Properties in historic districts or with historic designation, such as homes in the Henry T. Oxnard Historic District, may face added objective design standards for ADUs.
Not sure what your lot allows? Request a free consultation and an Oxnard ADU builder will review it with you.
Common questions
How many ADUs can I build on a single-family lot in Oxnard?
Generally one detached ADU and one junior ADU, or an attached or converted ADU plus a junior ADU. That can mean up to three homes on one single-family lot, counting the main house.
Is there an owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs in Oxnard?
Not for ADUs. California has removed owner-occupancy requirements for ADUs. Junior ADUs can still require the owner to live on the property, especially when they share a bathroom with the main house.
Can I use my Oxnard ADU as an Airbnb?
No. Oxnard requires ADU rentals to be for terms longer than 30 days, so short-term vacation rentals are not allowed.
Can I build ADUs on a duplex or apartment property in Oxnard?
Yes. Multifamily properties can convert non-living space, like storage rooms or garages, into ADUs, up to 25% of the existing units with at least one allowed, and can add up to eight detached ADUs, not exceeding the number of existing units.