Zoning Information Lookup tool
Zoning Information Lookup Tool
Before you design or permit an Accessory Dwelling Unit, you need to know what your property's zoning actually allows. Setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, and parking rules vary not just by state but often street by street — and getting them wrong can mean a rejected permit or a redesign that costs you weeks. Our free Zoning Information Lookup Tool gives you a state-by-state ADU zoning snapshot and routes you straight to the official local sources that have your exact answer.
How to Use the Tool
- Select your state from the dropdown above.
- Review your ADU zoning snapshot — see whether your state has a statewide ADU law or leaves zoning to local control, plus the core factors every jurisdiction regulates (setbacks, size caps, height, parking, owner-occupancy, overlay zones).
- Click through to your county's GIS or parcel portal to pull the exact zoning designation for your address.
- Find your local planning department if you'd rather talk to a person than dig through a map portal.
- Browse verified ADU contractors in your state who already know your local zoning code inside and out.
What Affects Your ADU's Zoning Requirements
No two cities apply ADU rules the same way, but most zoning codes come down to the same handful of variables:
- Setbacks — how far your ADU must sit from front, side, and rear property lines
- Maximum size — a flat square-footage cap, or a percentage of your main home's footprint
- Height limits — typically stricter for detached, two-story ADUs
- Parking requirements — often waived near transit or for garage conversions
- Owner-occupancy rules — some cities require the property owner to live on-site
- Overlay zones — historic districts, coastal zones, and floodplains can stack extra requirements on top of base zoning
Why Zoning Comes Before Design
Zoning sets the outer limits of what you're allowed to build — the lot, not the floor plan. Confirming setbacks, height, and size limits before you commission drawings means your architect or contractor is designing inside lines that will actually get approved, instead of revising plans after a rejected permit. It's the same reason real estate agents and lenders check zoning before closing on a property with ADU potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tool a live connection to my city's zoning database?
No. There's no single nationwide zoning database — zoning records live in thousands of separate county and city systems. This tool gives you general state-level guidance plus a direct link to the correct official source for your address.
Does my state need a special ADU law for me to build one?
Not necessarily. States with a statewide ADU law generally make it easier across more cities, but even in local-control states, most cities allow ADUs under their own zoning code — you just need to confirm the specifics locally.
What's the difference between zoning and a building permit?
Zoning determines whether and what you're allowed to build on your lot. A building permit confirms your specific construction plans meet safety and code requirements. You need to clear zoning first.
Where do I find my property's exact zoning designation?
Use the “Search Your County GIS / Parcel Portal” link after selecting your state — most counties have a free public parcel lookup by address.
Still not sure what's allowed on your lot?
Browse verified ADU contractors in your state → Many offer a free initial zoning and feasibility check as part of their consultation.