In short
- 76 ADU permits on record, nearly all since 2019.
- 13 in 2025.
- Typical permit time: 36 days from application to permit (median of 16 permits with both dates recorded).
About this data
- Source: California HCD Housing Element Annual Progress Reports. The state data does not say whether an ADU is detached, attached, a garage conversion or a JADU, so most records show as 'unknown'. Permit valuations are not published in this source. Timelines use the application date the city reported to the state, matched to the permit where possible; some cities report their planning application date, so timelines can include planning review. Each project is counted once, in its building-permit year (or completion year when no permit date was reported).
Permits by year
Permits by year and type (table)
| Year | All ADU permits | Garage conversions | Detached |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 (partial records) | 1 | — | — |
| 2018 | 0 | — | — |
| 2019 | 3 | — | — |
| 2020 | 2 | — | — |
| 2021 | 7 | — | — |
| 2022 | 12 | — | — |
| 2023 | 23 | — | — |
| 2024 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
“—” means the source for that year does not report ADU type.
Read more: ADU types explained
Not counted above: 12 approved projects with no building permit reported yet.
ADU rules in Port Hueneme
State law check: After an HCD notice of violation (July 9, 2024), the city repealed its ADU section (December 2024) and points applicants to state law.
| Rule | Port Hueneme's code | State law guarantees |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum size | The city repealed its local ADU rules; state law applies. | At least 850 sq ft (1,000 sq ft with 2+ bedrooms) must be allowed; an 800 sq ft detached ADU always is. Conversions of existing space have no size cap. Junior ADU: up to 500 sq ft. |
| Height | State law applies. | Detached: at least 16 ft (18 ft within ½ mile of transit, plus 2 ft for a matching roof). Attached: 25 ft or the zone's limit, whichever is lower. |
| Setbacks | State law applies. | No more than 4 ft side and rear; none for conversions of existing space. |
| Parking | State law applies. | At most 1 space; none within ½ mile of transit and in several other cases. No replacement parking when a garage is converted. |
| Owner living on site | State law applies. | None for ADUs. A junior ADU that shares a bathroom with the house requires the owner to live in one of them. |
| How many on a single-family lot | State law applies. | One ADU converted from existing space, one junior ADU and one new detached ADU (up to 800 sq ft). From January 1, 2027: two new detached ADUs (a city then needn't allow a junior ADU on that lot). |
| Short-term rentals | State law applies. | No guarantee: cities may require rentals of more than 30 days, and junior ADUs can't be short-term rentals. |
- The city's handout asks junior ADU owners to record a deed restriction and affordability agreement.
- Outdoor equipment is limited to 50 dB at the property line.
Where local rules conflict with state law, state law controls. Sources: City ADU handout (Feb 23, 2026) · HCD notice of violation (Jul 9, 2024); HCD's list of review letters; California ADU rules. Verified Sep 29, 2026. Rules change and every lot is different: confirm with the city before you design.
How long permits take
| Type | Median days, application to permit | Middle half | Permits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior ADU (JADU) | too few to say | 1 | |
| Unclassified | 29 | 3 – 78 | 15 |
Middle half: the range covering the middle 50% of permits (a quarter were lower, a quarter higher).
Read more: ADU permit times across Ventura County · How long ADUs take to build
What neighbors declared as cost
Cost data (declared permit valuations) is not published for this area in these sources.
Read more: How to choose an ADU builder
An ADU builder serving Port Hueneme? Feature your business on this page.
Questions about ADUs in Port Hueneme
How many ADUs have been permitted in Port Hueneme?
Public records show 76 ADU permits in Port Hueneme through 2025, nearly all since 2019. 13 in 2025. These counts come from the city's reports to the state, which place a project in its completion year when no permit date was reported.
How long does an ADU permit take in Port Hueneme?
Among the 16 ADU permits in Port Hueneme with both dates recorded, half were issued within 36 days of the application; the middle half took 3 to 74 days. That includes plan-check corrections and resubmittals, not just the review itself.
Can I build an ADU on my property in Port Hueneme?
California law allows ADUs on most lots with a house, including in Port Hueneme, but what you can build depends on your lot, local rules and utilities. This site shows permits, not eligibility. See California ADU rules.
Where do I apply for an ADU permit in Port Hueneme?
Apply with the City of Port Hueneme's Planning and Zoning division, using its ADU submittal checklist and the city's OpenGov portal. Official ADU page.
How current is this?
- State annual progress reports: through 2025 (published once a year)
How our data works · Download the data · Free to reuse with credit to SoCal ADU Tracker (socaladutracker.com), under CC BY 4.0.