Camarillo Zoning and ADU Guide for Homeowners

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team.

If you own a home in Camarillo and are thinking about a backyard cottage, a garage conversion, or selling a property that already has an extra unit, the city’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules matter. This guide summarizes what the City of Camarillo publishes about ADUs and how zoning and permit steps connect to a sale.

Camarillo ADU rules at a glance

Topic	What the city says
Minimum ADU size	150 square feet, excluding bathrooms and closets
Junior ADU (JADU)	Less than 500 square feet
Height, attached, internal and JADU	The height limit of the primary dwelling or 25 feet, whichever is lower
Height, detached	16 feet, or 18 feet within one-half mile walking distance of the train station, plus an additional two feet to match the roof pitch of the main home
Front yard setback	Same as the primary residence
Side and rear setbacks	4 feet
Parking	One on-site space for an attached or detached ADU, which may be uncovered and tandem in a driveway; none for internal ADUs, JADUs or garage conversions
Zone clearance fee	$174.46 for the Planning Zone Clearance
Sale	An ADU cannot be sold separately from the main dwelling

Zoning in Camarillo and why it matters to sellers

Zoning controls what you can build and how you can use a lot. In Camarillo, the Planning Division handles zoning clearance, and the city’s applications page lists a Zoning Clearance form and a Zoning Verification Request.

If you are buying or selling and want to know whether a use or structure is allowed, a zoning verification is the official way to ask. Unpermitted or non-conforming structures can also become a Code Compliance issue, which our Camarillo code enforcement guide explains.

ADU types the city describes

• Detached ADU: A separate building on the lot, limited to 16 feet in height (18 feet near the train station).
• Attached ADU: Built onto the main home, subject to the lower of the primary dwelling’s height or 25 feet.
• Internal ADU: Created within existing space such as a garage or spare rooms.
• Junior ADU: A smaller unit under 500 square feet within the home.

Parking rules

Camarillo requires one on-site space for each attached or detached ADU, and it may be uncovered and tandem in a driveway. No parking is required for internal ADUs, junior ADUs or garage conversions. No replacement parking is needed when a garage is converted or uncovered parking is removed. No parking is required for an ADU within one-half mile of the Metrolink station or a bus stop.

Fees and who you will deal with

The Planning Zone Clearance fee is $174.46. School fees apply to ADUs of 500 square feet or more, calculated on the whole square footage and paid to the Pleasant Valley Elementary School District and the Oxnard Union High School District. ADUs under 500 square feet pay no school fees.

Public Works and Building & Safety fees vary with square footage, connections, reports and permits. Since July 1, 2025 the city also adds a General Plan Maintenance Surcharge of 17.89 percent and a Technology Surcharge of 11.34 percent.

City contacts listed on the ADU page:

• Planning Division: planning@cityofcamarillo.org, (805) 388-5340
• Public Works permits: pwpermits@cityofcamarillo.org, (805) 388-5340
• Building & Safety: bldgsafe@cityofcamarillo.org, (805) 388-5395

The page also lists the Ventura County Fire Department and water providers such as Camrosa Water District, Crestview Mutual Water Company and Pleasant Valley Mutual Water Company, which you may need to contact depending on your address.

The ADU process, step by step

1. Try the ADU Navigator

The city offers an interactive ADU Navigator tool on its site to help you understand which rules apply to your lot.

2. Submit a Zone Clearance

Zone Clearances are submitted through the city’s OpenGov portal. The city says clearances may be approved within a few days if the plans meet all requirements.

3. Apply for building permits

Building permit applications and plans go through the same online system. Plans are digital only. See our Camarillo building permits guide for the permit steps.

4. Inspect and finish

Schedule inspections as work progresses and keep the final sign-off.

ADUs and selling your Camarillo home

A permitted ADU can add value. A garage conversion or backyard unit built without permits can complicate a sale because buyers and lenders look for permit history. The city says an ADU can be used for family or rented as income property but cannot be sold separately from the main dwelling. Before selling, gather permits, plans, final sign-offs and any rental information.

How to sell a house in Camarillo with an ADU or unpermitted unit

1. Collect your records. Permits, plans and city correspondence.
2. Check status. Ask Building & Safety whether permits for the unit are finaled.
3. Decide: legalize or sell as-is. Compare permit, fee and construction costs with an as-is sale.
4. Get a cash offer. A cash buyer purchases the home with the unit as it stands, and you choose the closing date.

Related local pages: we buy houses in Camarillo, we buy houses in Ventura County and all California guides.

Frequently asked questions

How big can an ADU be in Camarillo?

The city lists a minimum of 150 square feet, excluding bathrooms and closets, and junior ADUs under 500 square feet. Maximum sizes depend on ADU type, so check the city’s ADU page or call Planning.

How tall can a detached ADU be?

Detached ADUs are limited to 16 feet, or 18 feet within one-half mile walking distance of the train station, with two additional feet allowed to match the roof pitch of the main home.

Do I need parking for an ADU in Camarillo?

One on-site space is required for attached or detached ADUs and may be uncovered and tandem. None is required for internal ADUs, junior ADUs or garage conversions, or within one-half mile of the Metrolink station or a bus stop.

Do I pay school fees on an ADU?

ADUs under 500 square feet do not pay school fees. ADUs of 500 square feet or more pay on the entire square footage.

Can I sell my ADU separately?

No. The city states an ADU cannot be sold separately from the main dwelling.

Can I sell a Camarillo house with an unpermitted unit?

Yes. You can sell as-is to a cash buyer without legalizing the work first.

More guides

• Camarillo Building Permits Guide
• Camarillo Code Enforcement Guide
• We Buy Houses in Camarillo
• We Buy Houses in Ventura County
• All California Guides

Sources

• City of Camarillo, Building an Accessory Dwelling Unit
• City of Camarillo, Community Development Applications

This guide is general information from public sources, not legal advice. Confirm current rules with the city.