The City of Menlo Park has produced Frequently Asked Questions and Answers relating to ADUs.
Chapter 16.79 of the Municipal Code details ADU requirements.
Summary:
Secondary dwelling units are permitted within single-family residential zones, subject to the following standards, restrictions and regulations. Development and use regulations for secondary dwelling units are as follows:
(1) Minimum lot area: six thousand (6,000) square feet.
(2) Primary Residence.
(A) A single-family residence must be located on the lot.
(B) The secondary dwelling unit may not be sold separately from the primary residence.
(3) Density. No more than one (1) secondary dwelling unit may be allowed on any one (1) lot.
(4) Subdivision. A lot having a secondary dwelling unit may not be subdivided in a manner that would allow for the main dwelling and secondary dwelling unit to be located on separate lots that do not meet the minimum lot area, width and/or depth required by the single-family zoning district in which the lot is located.
(5) Minimum Yards.
(A) Attached secondary dwelling units shall comply with all minimum yard requirements for the main dwelling established by the single-family zoning district in which the lot is located;
(B) Detached secondary dwelling units shall comply with all minimum yard requirements for the main dwelling established by the single-family zoning district in which the lot is located, with the exception that the minimum rear yard is ten (10) feet. Furthermore, the interior side and rear yards may be reduced to five (5) feet, subject to written approval of the owner(s) of the contiguous property abutting the portion of the encroaching structure. If the contiguous interior side or rear property line is an alley, the minimum setback is five (5) feet. If a secondary dwelling unit is constructed above an existing detached garage, the side and rear yard setback is five (5) feet. The provisions of Section 16.62.020(1) shall not apply to a detached secondary dwelling unit.
(6) Unit Size.
(A) Detached secondary dwelling units shall not exceed six hundred forty (640) square feet, except buildings complying with all aspects of the disabled access requirements for kitchens, bathrooms, and accessible routes established in the California Building Code for adaptable residential dwelling units shall have a maximum square footage of seven hundred (700) square feet.
(B) Attached secondary dwelling units shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the existing living area, with a maximum increase in floor area of six hundred forty (640) square feet, except buildings complying with all aspects of the disabled access requirements for kitchens, bathrooms, and accessible routes established in the California Building Code for adaptable residential dwelling units shall have a maximum square footage of seven hundred (700) square feet.
(C) All secondary dwelling units shall be limited to studio or one (1) bedroom units and one (1) bathroom.
(D) No passageway shall be required in conjunction with the construction of a secondary dwelling unit.
(E) Secondary dwelling units shall count towards the total floor area for the lot, and the entire floor area of all buildings may not exceed the permitted floor area limit (FAL) established by the single-family zoning district in which the lot is located.
(7) Building Coverage. Secondary dwelling units shall count towards the total building coverage for the lot, and the entire building coverage of all buildings may not exceed the permitted building coverage established by the single-family zoning district in which the lot is located.
(8) Height. The maximum permitted height of a secondary dwelling unit is the same as the maximum permitted height for the single-family zoning district in which the lot is located, except that in no instance shall the maximum total height for any detached secondary dwelling unit exceed seventeen (17) feet.
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