Accessory Dwelling Units
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), also known as a "secondary Dwelling Unit", a "Granny Unit", or an "In-Law Unit", is an attached or detached residential dwelling unit that is allowed where single-family or multi-family dwellings are a permitted land use. ADUs provide complete independent living facilities for one or more persons. ADU must have a kitchen, bathroom. and a place to sleep, and can range from small studios tor larger homes with multiple bedrooms.
The City also allows the development of a Junior ADU (JADU), which is constructed within the walls of a proposed or existing single-family residence. JADUs are required to have a separate entrance and an "efficiency kitchen", but can share a bathroom with the main home. JADUs also require that the property owner live in one of the units on the property (owner-occupancy). ADUs and JADUs are subject to the development standards and requirements found in Chapter 17.32 of the Hollister Municipal Code
Definitions
The City also allows the development of a Junior ADU (JADU), which is constructed within the walls of a proposed or existing single-family residence. JADUs are required to have a separate entrance and an "efficiency kitchen", but can share a bathroom with the main home. JADUs also require that the property owner live in one of the units on the property (owner-occupancy). ADUs and JADUs are subject to the development standards and requirements found in Chapter 17.32 of the Hollister Municipal Code
Definitions
- Detached: The ADU structure is detached from the primary dwelling unit.
- Attached: The ADU structure is attached to the primary dwelling unit.
- Converted: The ADU was established through the conversion of existing space within the primary dwelling unit or through the conversion of an accessory structure, for example, a garage or pool house.
Fault Hazards and ADUs
Some parts of the City are affected by the Calaveras Fault. If your property is located with the fault zone, your ability to construct an ADU may be affected. To find out if your property is affected by the fault, please visit the California Department of Conservation website.
The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act (Alquist-Priolo Act) regulates construction with seismic fault zones in order to protect to public and reduce losses as a result of earthquake fault rupture. Certain construction, including ADUs that propose conversion of existing space (such as a garage or detached accessory structure), or ADUs on multifamily properties with greater than four units, may require a seismic analysis to be prepared by a licensed geologist in order to determine whether the site is cleared for construction prior to an ADU being approved.
Pre-approved ADUs
The list below contains pre-approved ADU designs from designers that meet City of Hollister local and state requirements. Pre-approved plans have been pre-reviewed for building code compliance by the City of Hollister. These plans are general and not tied to a specific property, including structural, roof, and floor plans, and cannot be customized much beyond materials in order to qualify for expedited review. Additional review and approval will be required by the Planning and Building Divisions for property-specific elements, including the foundation, for the ADU.
Plans can be downloaded free of charge. You may choose to work with the original designer or another designer to prepare the finalized set of plans for your property prior to submittal. Costs associated with the preparation of site-specific plans for you ADU are set by the design professional you select to work with.
Note: All plans - even pre-approved plans - still require customized site planning and permitting based on your property. This will include details like where the ADU sits on your lot, emergency access, and foundation plans.
Current List of Pre-Approved ADU Plans
| Description | Link to Plans | Designer Contact Information |
| Size: 680 SF Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1 |
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Name: Alejandro Torres, P. E. Phone: (831) 707-8286 Email: atorres.engr@gmail.com |
Can I use these plans in another jurisdiction?
No, these plans have been submitted and pre-approved only by the City of Hollister. They are not pre-approved by any other jurisdiction, including the County of San Benito and San Juan Bautista.
Design professionals interested in submitting plans for pre-approval should contact the Planning Division at planning@hollister.ca.gov for information on the process.
