California coastal city planning guide
Morro Bay ADU Guide: Coastal Rules, Pre-Designed Plans & Permits
Planning an ADU in Morro Bay means solving two layers at once: California ADU law and Morro Bay’s certified Local Coastal Program. Start with the City’s 2026 rule update, then test the parcel, coastal constraints and stock-plan fit before paying for detailed design.
The 2026 change matters
Use Morro Bay’s newly effective ADU rules—not an older coastal-zone article.
In 2026, the California Coastal Commission certified Morro Bay zoning amendments that updated Section 17.30.040 to comply with current State ADU law. The City says those amendments are now legally in effect.
See the City’s 2026 zoning update → · Open the ADU regulation update →
Current city snapshot
The Morro Bay rules worth checking before you choose a floor plan.
| Planning metric | Morro Bay framework | State/coastal check |
|---|---|---|
| Detached size | 1,000 sq. ft. maximum for studio/one-bedroom; 1,200 sq. ft. for two or more bedrooms. | Use interior livable space when applying current state size and fee rules. |
| Attached size | Current city section caps attached ADUs at 1,000 sq. ft. of interior livable space. | Confirm the project also satisfies the applicable state-protected pathway and base/overlay standards. |
| Side/rear setbacks | Minimum interior side and rear setback: 4 ft. Conversions in qualifying existing footprints have separate protections. | HCD notes additional setback requirements can apply in the Coastal Zone where required by a Local Coastal Program. |
| ADU parking | Current Section 17.30.040 says automobile parking is not required for the ADU, subject to the referenced primary-dwelling parking provision. | Do not redesign the site around an assumed ADU parking stall without checking the current code. |
| Coastal review | The City’s Community Development guidance currently routes ADU/JADU construction through Planning for an Administrative Coastal Development Permit and through Building for a building permit. | Section 17.30.040 specifically flags the Coastal Resource Protection overlay for possible CDP requirements; confirm the parcel-specific route with Planning. |
This table is a planning screen, not a parcel approval. Zoning, overlays, coastal resources, slope, utilities, easements, fire conditions and existing structures can change the actual permit package.
The Morro Bay decision layer
Before design, ask what coastal evidence your property actually needs.
1. Identify zoning and overlays
The 2026 ADU checklist asks for zoning and any special overlay designation on the title sheet. Do not treat “Morro Bay” as one uniform development condition.
2. Check slope and natural features
The City’s pre-designed plan materials require site-specific topography and slope information. Certain stock-plan documents flag projects over 10% slope for geotechnical review.
3. Expect resource questions when triggered
The current City checklist warns that additional information may include a Biological Resources Assessment, Phase I preliminary archaeological survey or preliminary title report.
A local shortcut worth testing
Morro Bay publishes six regional pre-designed ADU stock plans.
The City participates with Arroyo Grande, Atascadero and Grover Beach in a regional ADU stock-plan program intended to streamline housing production. These are valuable starting designs, but they are not a substitute for property-specific review.
316–445 sq. ft.
Efficiency Studio — 316 sq. ft.
Standard Studio — 445 sq. ft.
Useful where footprint and total construction scope are the dominant constraints.
626–746 sq. ft.
One Bedroom — 626 sq. ft.
One Bedroom Plus — 746 sq. ft.
The 746-sq.-ft. option sits below the current 750-sq.-ft. state impact-fee threshold, but actual project fees still require a City estimate.
927–998 sq. ft.
One Bedroom Plus Loft — 927 sq. ft.
Two Bedroom Plus — 998 sq. ft.
More floor area increases the importance of site fit, coastal constraints, utilities and project budget.
Open Morro Bay’s official stock-plan program →
Permit sequence
A practical Morro Bay ADU path
Confirm the parcel, zoning and coastal overlays
Record the APN, zoning, special overlay designation and existing dwelling situation before applying any setback or plan assumption.
Choose the ADU pathway
Detached, attached, conversion, JADU and pre-designed stock plans each create a different evidence file.
Test site constraints before detailed design
Map property lines, existing structures, adjacent structures near the property line, easements, utilities, topography, slope, hardscape and natural features.
Prepare the Planning package
The current ADU checklist requires detailed title-page, site, floor-plan and elevation information. Pre-designed plans have their own 2026 checklist and customization form.
Submit through the City’s permit portal
Morro Bay supports Electronic Plan Review through its Community Portal. The City says EPR allows concurrent staff review and a consolidated corrections list.
Complete Building review and inspections
Planning approval does not finish the project. Track building plan review, corrections, permit issuance and inspections through final sign-off.
Open Morro Bay applications and current submittal requirements →
Local contacts
Who to contact before you commit money.
Planning / application submittal
Planning Division
Application questions: 805-772-6264
mmorris@morrobayca.gov
The City’s application page lists Melissa Morris for planning-submittal questions.
Building permits
Building Division
805-772-6267
955 Shasta Avenue, Morro Bay, CA 93442
For building applications and plan-review questions. Inspection scheduling: 805-772-6204.
Community Development
Airlin Singewald, Director
asingewald@morrobayca.gov
805-772-6291
Useful when the question spans planning, building or the City’s pre-designed ADU program.
Budget evidence
Use the 2026 fee schedule—but separate impact fees from permit and utility costs.
2026 City fee schedule
Morro Bay’s current Master Fee Schedule is effective January 1, 2026 and separates Building, Planning, Engineering/Utility and Development Impact fees. Ask for a project-specific estimate rather than copying one total from another ADU.
750 sq. ft. impact-fee threshold
Current Morro Bay code and the March 2026 HCD handbook state that an ADU with 750 sq. ft. of interior livable space or less is exempt from the impact fees covered by the state rule. Larger ADUs are subject to proportional treatment.
Utilities are a separate question
Connection and capacity-charge rules are not interchangeable with planning or building fees. Get written utility assumptions for your actual project and service configuration before locking the budget.
Before your first City call
Build this Morro Bay property file first.
- Property address and APN
- Zoning district and special overlays
- Existing primary dwelling type
- Proposed ADU type and bedroom count
- Property-line dimensions or survey information
- Existing and proposed setbacks
- Adjacent structures within 10 ft. of property lines
- Existing/proposed lot coverage
- Topography and average slope
- PG&E and other recorded easements
- Fire hazard severity zone
- Existing/proposed impermeable surface area
- Utility connection assumptions
- Whether a City stock plan is being considered
- Questions about biological/archeological/title documentation
- Current Planning and Building fee estimate
Continue planning
Turn Morro Bay’s coastal rules into a property-specific plan.
Official sources
Re-check these before paying for design or permits.
- City of Morro Bay — Plan Morro Bay / 2026 Zoning Code Amendments
- City of Morro Bay — 2026 ADU Regulation Update, Section 17.30.040
- City of Morro Bay — 2026 ADU Checklist
- City of Morro Bay — 2026 Pre-Designed ADU Checklist
- City of Morro Bay — Pre-Designed ADU Program
- City of Morro Bay — Applications, Permit Portal and 2026 Master Fee Schedule
- California HCD — ADU Handbook, updated March 2026