Fresno County · California
Clovis ADU guide: local rules, permits & property planning
Clovis has an alley-oriented Cottage Home Program developed for infill housing. Its specific program eligibility should be checked separately from the general ADU rules.
Local planning guide · Reviewed October 2, 2026
What matters for an ADU in Clovis
Permitting authority: City of Clovis — ADU resources
Official local guidanceLocal rules and design checks
| Topic | Local guidance |
|---|---|
| Alley access | Cottage Home eligibility requires an eligible Clovis property with alley access. |
| Zoning | The published Cottage Home requirements specify R-1 single-family residential zoning. |
| Utility access | The Cottage Home page requires access to utilities and enough site area for the selected program layout. |
Selected local requirements, not a complete zoning determination. Confirm the current rules for your address with the responsible agency.
Fees and budget checks
Three Cottage Home designs are available without a drawing charge. Ask Clovis Planning and Building for the applicable permit and utility estimate; free program drawings do not pay for site preparation or construction.
Clovis financial incentives and free drawingsHow to start the permit process
Check Cottage Home eligibility with Planning before selecting a drawing. If the property does not qualify, discuss the general ADU path under the City’s ADU resources and current code.
Municipal program example
Clovis’s alley-facing Cottage Home designs
The City publishes three streamlined designs intended for rear yards facing an alley. They are program options rather than evidence that every Clovis parcel is eligible.
View the original sourceClovis ADU questions
- Does a property without an alley qualify for Cottage Home?
- The published Cottage Home program requires alley access. Ask about the separate general ADU path.
- Are the Cottage Home requirements the rules for every ADU?
- No. Distinguish eligibility for these program drawings from the City’s general ADU standards.
Sources for this guide
- City of Clovis — ADU resources
- Clovis financial incentives and free drawings
- Clovis’s alley-facing Cottage Home designs
Local sources reviewed October 2, 2026. Historical examples retain their stated dates. Contact ADU California to confirm project availability; this guide does not establish an office location or property approval.
A useful first review
Separate what is available from what still needs verification.
01
Confirm the property
Start with a complete address and review the available parcel, building, and map context.
02
Identify the unknowns
Keep missing setbacks, easements, utilities, access, hazards, and local requirements visible.
03
Choose the next review
Use the preliminary result to prepare a focused conversation with the required professionals and agencies.
Explore project types
Compare the scope before choosing a solution.
These pages explain the questions each project type introduces. They do not assert that a particular scope is permitted or suitable for your address.
Compare planning footprints
See common ADU sizes before choosing a design.
These model pages are planning references only. They are not a statement that a particular size is allowed or buildable at a Clovis address.
California directory
Explore more city guides.
The next useful action
Put your address at the center of the conversation.
The online review is preliminary and is not a permit decision, survey, engineering opinion, construction document, final price, or guaranteed schedule.