A junior ADU, or JADU, is a small unit created inside an existing single-family home, including an attached garage. Bakersfield's ADU materials describe it as 150 to 500 sq ft with an efficiency kitchen and either a shared or private bathroom.
What are the JADU basics in Bakersfield?
- 150 to 500 sq ft, inside the home's existing walls or an attached garage.
- An efficiency kitchen with cooking appliances, a prep counter and reasonable storage.
- A shared or private bathroom.
- Single-family lots only, and it can be combined with a detached ADU.
- The main home must be legally built and permitted, per the city's 2024 guide.
Do I have to live in the house?
Bakersfield's materials say the owner must live in the main home or the JADU. As of October 2026, state law narrows that: an owner-occupancy requirement can apply only when the JADU shares a bathroom with the main home. A JADU with its own bathroom avoids it.
Can I rent a junior ADU?
Yes, for terms longer than 30 days. As of October 2026, state law bars short-term rental of a JADU, and the city's guide prohibits rentals under 30 days generally.
Are there utility or fee savings?
Usually. Bakersfield's ADU page says new or separate utility connections may be required for ADUs only, not JADUs. As of October 2026, JADUs of 500 sq ft or less are also exempt from impact fees under state law, and the city's school fees apply to units of 500 sq ft or more.
Who is a junior ADU right for?
Owners who want room for a relative, a caregiver or a long-term tenant without building in the yard. A clear separate entry and good sound separation from the main house make the biggest difference to how livable it feels.