How United Build Partners helps Santa Clarita homeowners
We're not a construction company. United Build Partners is an ADU advisory and contractor-matching service: we start with a free review of your property and goals, help you understand what's realistic for your lot under Santa Clarita's rules, and — when it's a good fit — connect you with up to three contractors in our network suited to your project type and neighborhood. From there, you compare proposals and decide who to work with; the licensed contractor you choose handles the actual design and construction.
ADU rules and permitting in Santa Clarita
Every ADU in California starts from the same statewide floor: ministerial (by-right) approval, at least 16 feet of height, 4-foot side and rear setbacks, and size minimums the city can't undercut. Santa Clarita layers solar, design-compatibility, and height rules on top. Here's what stands out locally.
What's specific to Santa Clarita
- Solar is required on new detached ADUs. Santa Clarita requires solar energy systems on new detached ADUs, included in the Title 24 energy forms. Conversions and attached units are treated differently under state energy rules, but if you're building a new standalone unit, budget for solar from the start. Our ADU solar guide explains how the state rules interact.
- Your ADU has to match the main house. The city requires the ADU to use the same color scheme and materials as the primary residence, and the roof must have a minimum 2:12 incline. It's an architectural-compatibility rule — plan the exterior around your existing home, not as a blank slate.
- Attached units can go taller — up to 25 feet. Detached ADUs are capped at 16 feet (unless built entirely within an existing structure), but an attached ADU may reach up to 25 feet — or the zone's maximum height for the main house, whichever is lower. That opens up a genuine second story for attached designs.
- Planning clears it before Building & Safety. Every ADU and JADU goes through Planning Division review first; you need Planning clearance before Building & Safety will start plan check. It's a two-step sequence worth building into your timeline.
- Setbacks: 4 feet for new construction. New ADU construction is subject to a 4-foot rear and side setback; all other setbacks follow the underlying zone. That's the state-standard 4 feet, so tight side yards are usually workable.
- Standard independent-living requirements. The ADU must include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the primary home — the baseline that separates a true ADU from a bonus room.
Property and lot considerations
Santa Clarita is a large master-planned valley city — think Valencia, Saugus, Newhall, and Canyon Country — with many tract neighborhoods and active HOAs. The architectural-match rule and the solar requirement on new detached units shape more projects here than raw lot size does. A free property review is the fastest way to see what your specific parcel and zone will realistically support; our size & setback calculator is a good first check, and remember an HOA can't override state ADU law (see our HOA guide).
Common ADU types for Santa Clarita homeowners
Detached ADUs (16 ft, solar required), attached ADUs (up to 25 ft), junior ADUs (JADUs), and conversions are all recognized in Santa Clarita. The height difference is the key planning lever — if you want a two-story unit, an attached design has real room to work with here. Our which-ADU quiz helps narrow the choice to your lot and goals.
Cost factors in Santa Clarita
Two Santa Clarita specifics touch the budget directly: required solar on a new detached ADU, and the design-match rule, which can raise material costs to match your existing home. The two-step Planning-then-Building review also shapes the timeline. None of these set a dollar figure — our cost guide and soft-costs guide frame the full budget.
Financing your Santa Clarita ADU
Most homeowners fund ADU construction through a HELOC, cash-out refinance, a construction loan, or some combination — see our ADU financing overview and loan payment calculator for how each works. Financing options aren't generally city-specific, but a lender may consider your neighborhood and local rents when evaluating projected rental income as qualifying income.
How our process works
Frequently asked questions
For a new detached ADU, yes — Santa Clarita requires solar energy systems, included in your Title 24 energy forms. ADUs converted from or attached to an existing home are generally treated differently under state energy rules. Our ADU solar guide explains how the requirement works; confirm the specifics for your project with the Planning Division.
A detached ADU is capped at 16 feet unless it's built entirely within an existing structure. An attached ADU can go up to 25 feet — or the maximum height your zone allows for the main house, whichever is lower — so an attached design can support a real second story.
Yes. The city requires the ADU to use the same color scheme and materials as your primary residence, and the roof must have at least a 2:12 incline. Design the exterior to complement your existing home from the start; it's a review requirement, not a suggestion.