Understanding ADU Laws in California: What Homeowners Need to Know

Is an ADU right of YOU?

An ADU ( Accessory Dwelling Unit ) aka Granny Flat is a separate living space built on your property. Many homeowners build a detached ADU for family members ( kids or grandparents moving home) or use them as rental property to generate extra income. California is desperate to build more housing and ADU’s are helping ease the housing crisis. California created State laws that eased development rules and setbacks to build your ADU …yet each city /county can add some minor twists the the State laws. Below are the State of California ADU rules and a list of the many Southern California Cities ADU rules.

State of California ADU regulations

https://www.hcd.ca.gov/sites/default/files/docs/policy-and-research/ADUHandbookUpdate.pdf

ADU regulations by City

Los Angeles

https://www.ladbs.org/adu

San Diego

https://www.sandiego.gov/planning/work/housing/toolkit/accessory-dwelling-units

Long Beach

https://www.longbeach.gov/lbcd/planning/adus/

Anaheim

https://www.anaheim.net/6349/ADUheim

Riverside

https://riversideca.gov/cedd/planning/development-related/adusjadus

Santa Ana

https://www.santa-ana.org/adu-jadu-development-standards/

Irvine

https://www.cityofirvine.org/building-permits-and-inspections/project-constructing-accessory-dwelling-unit-adu

Chula Vista

https://www.chulavistaca.gov/departments/development-services/permit-information/city-permits/accessory-dwelling-units

Santa Clarita

https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-a-f/community-development/planning-division/zoning/accessory-dwelling-units

San Bernardino

https://www.sbcity.org/city_hall/community_development_and_housing/building_safety

Moreno Valley

http://moreno-valley.ca.us/adu/#:~:text=An%20ADU%20must%20include%20permanent%20living%2C%20sleeping%2C%20eating%2C,a%20manufactured%20home%20%28on%20a%20permanent%20foundation%20only%29.

Fontana

https://www.fontanaca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/36099/ADU-Information-Sheet

Huntington Beach

https://cms3.revize.com/revize/huntingtonbeachca/Documents/Departments/Community%20Development/Plannng%20Divisions/Accessory%20Dwelling%20Units/Accessory-Dwelling-Units-Summary_5.21.21.pdf

Glendale

https://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/community-development/planning/adu

Ontario

https://www.ontarioca.gov/sites/default/files/Ontario-Files/Planning/Documents/FAQs/Accessory%20Dwelling%20Unit%20Handout%20rev_02.27.2024.pdf

Rancho Cucamonga

https://www.cityofrc.us/news/accessory-dwelling-units

Oceanside

https://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/government/development-services/planning/accessory-dwelling-unit-adu

Lancaster

https://www.cityoflancasterca.org/our-city/departments-services/community-development/planning/planning-faqs

Garden Grove

https://ggcity.org/adu

Palmdale

https://www.cityofpalmdaleca.gov/1351/Standard-ADU-Plans

Corona

https://www.coronaca.gov/government/departments/community-development/planning-division/design-guidelines

Pomona

https://www.pomonaca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/36

Escondido

https://www.escondido.gov/238/Accessory-Dwelling-Units

Torrance

https://www.torranceca.gov/our-city/community-development/planning-division/accessory-dwelling-units

Fullerton

https://www.cityoffullerton.com/government/departments/community-and-economic-development/planning-zoning/zoning/accessory-dwelling-units-granny-units

Orange

https://www.cityoforange.org/home/showpublisheddocument/5096/638367022000800000

Pasadena

https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/planning-division/community-planning/accessory-dwelling-units/

Victorville

https://www.victorvilleca.gov/government/city-departments/development/planning/getting-started

Thousand Oaks

https://www.toaks.org/departments/community-development/planning/accessory-dwelling-units

Simi Valley

https://www.simivalley.org/departments/environmental-services/planning-division

Carlsbad

https://www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/community-development/building/accessory-dwelling-units

Downey

https://www.downeyca.org/our-city/departments/community-development/building-safety-division

Costa Mesa

https://www.costamesaca.gov/government/departments-and-divisions/economic-and-development-services/planning/accessory-dwelling-units-adu

Murrieta

https://www.murrietaca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10566/IB-108_Accessory-Residential-Dwelling-Units_pdf

Temecula

https://temeculaca.gov/1422/Accessory-Dwelling-Units-ADUs

West Covina

https://www.westcovina.org/departments/community-development/planning-division/adu-accessory-dwelling-units

El Monte

https://www.elmonteca.gov/703/ADU-LOAN-PROGRAM

Inglewood

https://www.cityofinglewood.org/DocumentCenter/View/13288/ADU-Development-Standards

Burbank

https://www.burbankca.gov/documents/173607/0/2021_Planning_ADU+HANDOUT+%286.28.2021%29.pdf/90fcb28b-39a4-e968-82bf-06c1b38cf2d5?t=1624914375523

El Cajon

https://www.elcajon.gov/your-government/departments/community-development/housing/adu-loan-program

Jurupa Valley

https://www.jurupavalley.org/466/Accessory-Dwelling-Units

Rialto

https://www.yourrialto.com/192/Building-Safety-Division

Norwalk

https://www.norwalk.org/city-hall/departments/community-development/building-safety

Menifee

https://www.cityofmenifee.us/Faq.aspx?QID=110#:~:text=In%20accordance%20with%20state%20law%2C%20all%20residential%20zones,Menifee%20Municipal%20Code%20in%20order%20to%20be%20built.

Hesperia

http://cityofhesperia.us/312/Planning

Vista

https://www.cityofvista.com/departments/housing-homeless-services/adu-fee-waiver-program

Compton

https://www.comptoncity.org/departments/community-development/accessory-dwelling-units

Carson

https://ci.carson.ca.us/content/files/pdfs/planning/forms/ADU%20Application_rev.pdf

San Marcos

https://www.san-marcos.net/departments/development-services/building-code-compliance/homeowners-guide

Mission Viejo

https://cityofmissionviejo.org/document-center/planning/mission-viejo-adu-reference-guide

Santa Monica

https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2018/05/30/new-regulations-for-accessory-dwelling-units-in-santa-monica

South Gate

https://www.cityofsouthgate.org/Government/Departments/Community-Development/Planning/Zoning/Accessory-Dwelling-Unit#:~:text=All%20ADUs%20shall%20be%20constructed%20with%20independent%20access,a%20bathroom%20that%20includes%20a%20shower%20and%2For%20bathtub.

Chino

https://www.cityofchino.org/622/ADU-Plans

Westminster

https://www.westminster-ca.gov/departments/community-development/planning-division/accessory-dwelling-units

Hemet

https://www.hemetca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8918/Accessory-Dwelling-Unit-ADU-Plan-Check-Guide?bidId=

Indio

https://www.indio.org/departments/community-development-department/planning-division

Hawthorne

https://www.cityofhawthorne.org/departments/planning

Whittier

https://www.cityofwhittier.org/government/community-development/building-safety/frequently-asked-questions

San Diego County Cities

Encinitas

https://www.encinitasca.gov/government/departments/development-services/policy-planning-housing/policy-planning/accessory-dwelling-units

La Mesa

https://www.cityoflamesa.us/DocumentCenter/View/20564/LM-ADU-Guidebook-Feb-2023

Santee

https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/government/planning-and-building/adus

National City

https://www.nationalcityca.gov/government/national-city-housing-authority/accessory-dwelling-units-adus

Poway

https://poway.org/Faq.aspx?QID=252

Lemon Grove

https://www.lemongrove.ca.gov/media/tljp3xqe/adu-development-standards-handout.pdf

San Diego

https://www.sandiego.gov/planning/work/housing/toolkit/accessory-dwelling-units

Chula Vista

https://www.chulavistaca.gov/departments/development-services/permit-information/city-permits/accessory-dwelling-units

Oceanside

https://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/government/development-services/planning/accessory-dwelling-unit-adu

Escondido

https://www.escondido.gov/238/Accessory-Dwelling-Units

Carlsbad

https://www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/community-development/building/accessory-dwelling-units

El Cajon

https://www.elcajon.gov/your-government/departments/community-development/housing/adu-loan-program

Vista

https://www.cityofvista.com/departments/housing-homeless-services/adu-fee-waiver-program

San Marcos

https://www.san-marcos.net/departments/development-services/building-code-compliance/homeowners-guide

Final Thoughts on ADU Laws in California

Navigating the world of ADU laws in California might seem overwhelming at first, but with the right information and guidance, it can lead to exciting opportunities for homeowners. By understanding local regulations and engaging with municipal resources, you can make informed decisions about adding an ADU to your property, unlocking the potential of your home and contributing to the state’s efforts in addressing housing shortages. We highly recommend talking to professionals in the industry to discuss your project as Fire departments , topography and sewer/septic systems are a few issues that will need to be addressed . www.MYADU4Less.com is a general contractor with over 40 years experience and offers a free site evaluation to determine the best option for your project.