In the City of Santa Clarita, every ADU goes through one Planning Division and one ADU ordinance, whether you live in Valencia, Newhall, Saugus, or Canyon Country. The city’s 2026 ADU handout lists 800 square feet for a detached ADU and 500 square feet for a Junior ADU, and rentals must be longer than 30 days.
One City, Four Original Communities — Here’s How ADU Rules Work Across All of Santa Clarita
The City of Santa Clarita was incorporated in 1987 by combining four previously separate communities — Valencia, Newhall, Saugus, and Canyon Country — into one city government. That’s why locals still refer to “Valencia” or “Saugus” as distinct places even though they now share one City Hall, one Planning Division, and one ADU ordinance. Santa Clarita is the fourth-largest city in Los Angeles County by population.
SantaClaritaADU.org serves all four original communities and the areas that have grown up around them, connecting homeowners with a local ADU contractor.
What Makes Santa Clarita Stand Out
Six Flags Magic Mountain, Old Town Newhall’s historic Main Street, William S. Hart Regional Park, and the Santa Clara River Trail all sit within city limits. Each original community kept its own identity — Old Town Newhall’s early-1900s bungalows look nothing like Valencia’s master-planned paseo tracts — which is why each part of the city calls for a different approach to an ADU rather than one generic plan.
How ADU Permitting Works Citywide
Every neighborhood within city limits — Valencia, Newhall, Saugus, and Canyon Country included — goes through the same City of Santa Clarita Planning Division review under the city’s ADU ordinance (SCMC §17.57.040): ministerial approval with no public hearing for compliant applications, a 60-day state-mandated review window, detached ADUs of up to 800 sq ft under the city’s 2026 ADU handout, 4-foot side and rear setbacks, and no parking requirement for ADUs or JADUs. Nearby unincorporated communities like Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, Acton, and Agua Dulce follow a different process through LA County instead — so it’s worth confirming which applies to your address.
Which Part of Santa Clarita Is Your Property In?
- Valencia — master-planned, paseo-connected, mostly HOA-governed
- Newhall — historic core, older lots, Old Town Main Street
- Saugus — Bouquet Canyon, Plum Canyon, and newer Skyline Ranch
- Canyon Country — Sand Canyon horse property to Golden Valley tracts
City of Santa Clarita ADU quick facts
| Permits | City of Santa Clarita Planning Division, then Building & Safety |
| Size limits | 800 sq ft for a detached ADU per the city’s 2026 handout; Junior ADUs up to 500 sq ft. Confirm the limit for your design with Planning. |
| Setbacks and height | 4 ft side and rear; detached ADUs 16 ft, or 18 ft plus 2 ft for roof pitch near transit |
| Oak trees | Lots with oak trees need Urban Forestry clearance |
| Fire hazard zones | ADUs must front a highway or have two ways to reach one |
| Rentals | Longer than 30 days only; an ADU can’t be sold separately |
These limits come from the city’s ADU FAQ handout. The city updated its ADU rules in 2026, so confirm current limits with the Planning Division at (661) 255-4330. See ADU rules and basics for details.
Which ADU types fit each part of the city?
- Valencia: garage conversions and Junior ADUs, which keep exterior changes small for HOA review.
- Newhall: garage conversions and compact detached units on older lots, usually without HOA review.
- Saugus: detached units on older Bouquet Canyon lots; attached ADUs or JADUs in newer HOA tracts.
- Canyon Country: detached units on Sand Canyon horse property; conversions on older lots near Golden Valley Road.
How does ADU permitting work in Santa Clarita?
- Planning review. The Planning Division reviews every ADU and JADU first, at 23920 Valencia Blvd, Suite 140.
- Building & Safety plan check. After Planning clearance, plans go to Building & Safety, on paper or through the city’s eService portal.
- Decision. A compliant ADU gets ministerial approval with no public hearing, within 60 days of a complete application.
- JADU covenant. A Junior ADU needs a recorded deed restriction before the building permit is issued.
See the ADU permit timeline for deadlines and common delays, and the ADU cost breakdown for 2026 prices.
City of Santa Clarita ADU FAQs
Are Valencia, Newhall, Saugus, and Canyon Country all in the City of Santa Clarita?
Yes. The four communities combined in 1987 to form the City of Santa Clarita. They share one Planning Division and one ADU ordinance, so ADU rules are the same across all four.
Where do I apply for an ADU permit in Santa Clarita?
Start with the City of Santa Clarita Planning Division at 23920 Valencia Blvd, Suite 140, (661) 255-4330. After Planning clears the project, Building & Safety reviews the construction plans.
Can I rent out an ADU in the City of Santa Clarita?
Yes, for terms longer than 30 days. The city doesn’t allow ADUs to be rented for less than 30 days, and an ADU can’t be sold separately from the main house.
Not sure which rules apply to your address? Contact us or call (661) 486-8393 and we’ll connect you with a local ADU contractor.
Looking for a builder? See how we connect Santa Clarita homeowners with a local ADU contractor.