Redding Eases ADU Rules to Boost Housing Options
- Kari Chilson
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The City of Redding has recently updated its local zoning code to match California's ongoing changes in laws governing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs). In a short informational video posted on YouTube on January 7, 2026, Jeremy Pagan—Director of Development Services and the city's Building Official—explains the key updates and what they mean for homeowners, builders, and the community.
What Are ADUs and JADUs?
An ADU is basically an extra home built on the same property as your main house. It can be:
Detached (like a backyard cottage),
Attached (added to your existing home),
Converted (from a garage, attic, or even a basement—though basements are rare in Redding), or
Newly constructed.
ADUs can be up to 1,025 square feet and include full living spaces for sleeping, cooking, and bathing.
A JADU is smaller—up to 500 square feet—and must be contained entirely within the footprint of your single-family home (e.g., converting part of the interior). Throughout the video, Pagan refers to both as ADUs and JADUs for simplicity.
The goal? To add more housing options on existing lots, helping address the need for affordable places to live.
Key Recent Changes
California has been pushing ADU construction for about a decade to boost housing supply. The latest updates make it easier by relaxing rules:
On single-family lots: You can build detached, attached, converted, or new ADUs.
On multifamily lots (like a fourplex or eightplex): You can add up to eight detached ADUs, but not more than the number of existing units (e.g., four on a fourplex).
Development standards are becoming less restrictive: ADUs can have greater height and reduced setbacks (as close as about 4 feet from property lines, compared to the usual 10 feet for main homes).
For JADUs: Owner-occupancy is no longer required if the JADU has its own bathroom. This means both the main house and JADU could be rented out to tenants (long-term only—short-term rentals like Airbnb are prohibited by state law).
The city still requires some architectural compatibility between the ADU and main home for visual harmony, but Pagan notes they're "not too picky" in practice.
What This Means for Redding Residents
These changes offer more flexibility:
Multi-generational living: Young adults or elderly family members can live close by in their own space.
Affordable housing options: Smaller units help first-time buyers or low-to-moderate-income households.
Investment opportunity: Homeowners can build an ADU for long-term rental income (no short-term rentals allowed).
Pagan acknowledges some neighborhood concerns, like more units potentially making single-family areas feel "tighter" or denser. However, he points out that Redding sees only about 20-25 ADUs per year on average—not a huge wave of construction yet. As more are built, the city will monitor and plan accordingly.
Streamlined Process with Pre-Approved Plans
To make things easier, the City of Redding offers pre-approved ADU plans (several options, like the Blue Oak at 538 sq ft, Chinook at 640 sq ft, and others). Homeowners can visit the Permit Center, pay fees, pick a plan, and get started quickly—often with a fast permit process.
Bottom Line
These updates align Redding's rules with state law to encourage more housing without major overhauls. Whether you're a homeowner exploring options, a builder looking for projects, or just curious, Pagan invites people to stop by the Permit Center for questions or help.
For the full details, watch the original video on the City of Redding's YouTube channel (posted January 7, 2026). More resources are available at the city's Development Services department.
This is a practical step toward addressing housing needs in our community—one backyard cottage or converted space at a time. If you're thinking about an ADU or JADU, now might be a great time to explore!
