Everything about building Accessory Dwelling Units in La Palma, CA
Check your property's zoning, browse designs & get contractor estimates for your ADU project:
Number of ADUs allowed:
Under state law, each single-family home may now create at least one Accessory Dwelling Unit. Owner occupied single-family lots may create one Accessory Dwelling Unit and one Junior ADU. Multi-family lots, per every four existing residential units, may create one Accessory Dwelling Unit, so long as the existing units were legally established.
Types of ADUs allowed:
Detached ADU, Attached ADU, Junior ADU are permitted. ADUs may be new construction or converted from existing space. JADUs must be converted from existing space.
Lot size:
Residential lots will not be subject to any minimum lot size for ADUs by ordinance or of the underlying zoning district. ~ AB68
ADU size:
Single-family and multi-family Parcels will be approved to add up to 850 square feet for a one bedroom ADU or up to 1,000 square feet for a two bedroom ADU, regardless of the underlying zoning standards of the property. A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit up to 500 square feet is approved. The minimum size of any living unit (including Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)s and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units) is 150 square feet according to California Residential Code. ~ AB68 & AB881 Update
Setbacks:
Setbacks for a detached new construction ADU shall be no more than 4 feet from the rear and side lot lines. No setbacks shall be required for ADUs and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU)s converted from legally eastablished existing space. Attached new construction ADUs and conversions from existing space to be expanded must comply with the setbacks of the underlying zone. ~ AB68 & AB881 Update
Parking:
Lots which convert an existing garage to an ADU or Junior Accessort Dwelling Unit (JADU) will not be subject to replacement parking requirements. ~ AB68
Fire Safety:
Accessory dwelling units shall not be required to provide fire sprinklers unless they are also required for the primary dwelling. ~ State Standards
Shape, materials and style:
Specific design styles and restrictions are not specified under State Standards. Passageways shall not be required in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit. ~ State Standards
Height:
The maximum height of an ADU is not specified in the state standards. If ADU maximum height is not established locally, the height limitations of the underlying zone shall apply. ~ State Standards
Design review:
The municipality shall provide a ministerial review process which is not based on a discretionary approval for an ADU. The process shall take no less than 120 days. Valid applications submitted for ADUs, if not approved or denied within 120 days from submission, shall be considered approved. ~ State Standards
Number of Bedrooms:
No maximum number of bedrooms is established other than that implied by the maximum size of an ADU allowed. ~ State Standards
Ownership:
Owner-occupancy will not be required for new Accessory Dwelling Units (conversion and new construction) built between 2020 and 2025. ~ According To SB13
Utility connections:
Connection and utility fees shall be reasonable, and shall not be disproportionately higher than those to develop primary dwellings, so as not to deter the development of ADUs. If a private sewage disposal system is used, such as a septic system, review and approval by a local health officer may be required. ~ State Standards
Allowed Zones:
*** Beginning in 2020, according to state law, all residential zoning districts, including single-family and multi-family, are allowed to build Accessory Dwelling Units. ***
Residential Building Code:
The California Building Code (CBC) 2019 is adopted.
ADU Design Library
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23 ft x 21 ft
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25 ft x 20 ft
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35 ft x 12 ft
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