Building an ADU in Glendale, California

What you can build in Glendale

ADUs are allowed in any zone that allows homes, on lots with an existing or proposed home. Glendale's rules are in Municipal Code section 30.34.080, last amended by Ordinance No. 6034 on December 3, 2024. The city's ADU page summarizes them for single-family and multifamily lots (updated November 7, 2025).

Single-family lots. The code allows, regardless of floor area, lot coverage and open space limits:

• One ADU and one junior ADU (JADU) inside the existing or proposed house, or an ADU inside an existing accessory building with up to 150 sq ft added for entry and exit.
• One new detached ADU of up to 800 sq ft with 4-foot interior setbacks, which can be combined with a JADU.

Larger ADUs (up to 850 or 1,000 sq ft) must also meet the zone's floor area, lot coverage, landscaping and open space rules. A JADU is allowed only on a lot with one home.

Multifamily lots. You can convert non-living space (storage rooms, boiler rooms, attics, basements, garages and similar) into at least one ADU and up to 25% of the existing units, rounded down. Or you can build up to eight detached ADUs on a lot with an existing apartment building (no more than the number of existing units), or two with a proposed one. The written code lets you choose one of these options, "but not both"; see the next section. JADUs are not allowed on lots with more than one home. For the state rules see our California page. [1][2]

Glendale's dispute with the state, and what it must now allow

California's housing department (HCD) found Glendale's ADU ordinance out of compliance in December 2023, issued a Notice of Violation in June 2024, and told the city its ordinance was "null and void" until fixed. The city disagreed. In December 2024 it amended the ordinance and fixed most issues, but kept three rules. In an August 2025 follow-up notice, HCD said those three still violate state law and that it had notified the Attorney General:

• A lot with one home may have an ADU or an "accessory living quarters" (a cabana, pool house, recreation room, workshop, studio and similar), but not both.
• The city allowed either a conversion ADU or a detached ADU on a single-family lot, and either conversion or detached ADUs on a multifamily lot, but not both. HCD says state law requires both: two ADUs and a JADU on a single-family lot.
• New ADUs are not allowed above a detached garage or carport.

On October 3, 2025, Glendale and HCD signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The city, while maintaining it does not violate state law, agreed to bring an amended ordinance to the City Council by March 31, 2026. Until an amended ordinance takes effect (or the Council votes it down), the city agreed to allow, as long as they otherwise meet state ADU law:

• ADUs above detached garages.
• A detached ADU on a property with an accessory living quarters.
• On single-family lots, conversion ADUs and JADUs paired with a new detached ADU.
• On multifamily lots, conversion ADUs paired with detached ADUs.

The city posts a statement on the agreement on its ADU page. The City Council and Planning Commission agendas posted on the city's meeting portal from January through early October 2026 list no ADU ordinance amendment, and the online code still shows the older text, including the three challenged rules. Under the agreement, the city is not to enforce those three rules until an amended ordinance takes effect or the Council votes one down. Confirm the current rules with Planning before you design. [1][3][4][5][6]

Size, height and setbacks

Size. A new attached or detached ADU can be up to 850 sq ft, or 1,000 sq ft with more than one bedroom; the city's page says an ADU over 850 sq ft needs a second bedroom. The code also caps a new attached ADU at 50% of the house's floor area. HCD says a percentage-of-house limit can't hold an attached ADU below 850 sq ft, so if the 50% cap would cut yours below that, confirm with Planning. A JADU is up to 500 sq ft. Up to 800 sq ft of any ADU doesn't count toward the zone's floor area, lot coverage, open space or landscaping limits.

Height. On a single-family lot, a detached ADU can be 16 feet. Within a half-mile walk of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor it can be 18 feet, plus 2 feet to match the house's roof pitch; the city links a High Quality Transit Area map and says you are responsible for verifying. An attached ADU can be 25 feet or the zone's limit, whichever is lower. On multifamily lots, detached ADUs can be 16 feet, or 18 feet near transit (plus 2 feet for roof pitch) or when the apartment building is multistory. No ADU can exceed two stories, and parapets are limited to 18 inches.

Setbacks. New ADUs need 4 feet from interior lot lines. Converting existing living space or an accessory building, or rebuilding it in the same place and size, needs no added setback; conversions need building-code fire separation, and the code asks for at least one existing interior setback of 3 feet. On multifamily lots, detached ADUs must be 5 feet eave to eave from existing buildings.

Location. The code says a new ADU can't sit between the house and the street-front or street-side setback, and no new driveway is allowed from a street (an alley driveway is allowed). These limits don't apply when they would block a state-protected ADU, such as a detached ADU of up to 800 sq ft.

Design. ADUs over 800 sq ft follow the zone's standards. Objective design standards apply to the parts of a new ADU that face a street, sidewalk, alley or park, and to ADUs with a second story: roof form and materials matching the house, at least two cladding materials on facades facing the street, recessed windows, high sills on second-floor windows facing neighbors, and shielded downward lighting. State-protected ADUs are exempt from these design standards. Rooftop decks are not allowed on any ADU. On historic properties, exterior changes for an ADU must not be visible from the street, unless that would prevent a state-protected ADU. [1][2][7]

Parking

ADUs over 800 sq ft need up to one parking space per unit or per bedroom, whichever is less; it can be uncovered (8 by 18 feet), tandem, or on the existing driveway, and the ADU must share the house's driveway. No parking is needed when:

• The lot is within a half-mile walk of a public transit stop.
• The property is a listed or contributing historic property.
• The ADU is inside the house or an accessory living quarters.
• On-street permits are required but not offered to the ADU occupant.
• A car share lot is within one block.
• It is a JADU.
• It is a state-protected ADU (up to 800 sq ft detached, a conversion, or multifamily ADUs under state law).

If you convert or tear down a garage, carport or parking space to build the ADU within its footprint, you don't have to replace the parking. [1]

Fees

Impact fees. ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from development impact fees, including the parks and library fee; the city's page says that fee is about $5,000. The code charges ADUs of 750 sq ft or more a parks and library fee in proportion to the size of the main house (or the average apartment size on a multifamily lot). State law bars impact fees on ADUs of 750 sq ft of interior livable space or less, so the two differ for an ADU of exactly 750 sq ft; confirm with Planning.

Utilities. An ADU or JADU is not treated as a new home for water and sewer connection fees unless it is built with a new house. State-protected ADUs don't need a separate utility connection. Other ADUs may need one, with a fee proportional to the ADU's size or plumbing fixtures. Check with Glendale Water & Power early to make sure the ADU, including a garage conversion, doesn't conflict with utility easements.

Other fees. You pay sewer, water and school district fees. Under state law, ADUs and JADUs under 500 sq ft of interior livable space are exempt from school fees. For permit fee estimates, call the Building Division at (818) 548-3200. For typical costs see our ADU cost guide. [1][2][7]

How long it takes

ADU permits are ministerial. The code says the city follows the state's permit processing deadlines: under state law it must tell you within 15 business days whether your application is complete, and approve or deny a complete application within 60 days when there is already a home on the lot, or the application is deemed approved.

Before you draw plans, the city asks you to review the rules and book a counter consultation with Planning/Zoning to screen your idea, and to clear the project with Glendale Water & Power. You then prepare a site plan, floor plan, elevations, roof plan, sections and a photo survey, and apply online for a building permit through the city's permit portal. See our ADU permit process guide. [1][2][7]

Garage conversions and junior ADUs

Garage conversions. You can convert an existing garage or other accessory building into an ADU, adding up to 150 sq ft only for entry and exit. It needs exterior access and fire-safe setbacks, and you don't replace the garage parking. Under the 2025 agreement with HCD, the city must also allow a new ADU built above a detached garage if it meets state law. See our garage conversion guide.

Junior ADUs. A JADU is up to 500 sq ft entirely inside a single-family home (an attached garage counts) and never in a detached building. It needs an efficiency kitchen with a sink, cooking appliances, a prep counter and storage, and independent access; if it has no bathroom of its own, it needs a separate entrance and an interior door to the house. Before final permit approval you record a covenant that bars selling it separately and requires the owner to live in the house or the JADU. Since January 1, 2026, state law requires owner occupancy only when the JADU shares a bathroom, so ask Planning how the city applies that rule. See our junior ADU guide.

Sprinklers. An ADU or JADU needs sprinklers only if the house is or was required to have them, and adding one doesn't trigger sprinklers in the house. [1][4][7]

Renting, selling and pre-approved plans

Any rental of an ADU must be for longer than 30 days, so short-term rentals are out. State law also bars short-term rental of JADUs. You don't have to live on the property to have an ADU. An ADU can't be sold separately from the house except as Government Code 66341 allows (sales by qualified nonprofits) or as other law allows, and a JADU can never be sold separately. For SB 9 lot splits, Glendale has separate rules in section 30.34.110; see our SB 9 lot split guide.

Pre-approved plans. Glendale's Standard ADU Plan Program offers an expedited review. As of October 2026 one plan is listed: a one-story, 740 sq ft, one-bedroom ADU by YD Group, bought directly from the designer. You still must confirm the project meets the zoning code before you apply. Program contact: Lea Issagholian, (818) 937-8139. See our prefab ADU guide. [1][2][7]

Permit steps in Glendale

1. Review the rules and consult Planning

   Review the ADU rules and the city's MOU statement, then email Zoning@GlendaleCA.gov, call (818) 548-2140, or book a counter consultation. [2]

2. Clear the site with Glendale Water & Power

   Check with GWP that the ADU, including any garage conversion, doesn't conflict with utility easements. [2]

3. Prepare drawings

   Prepare a site plan, floor plan, elevations, roof plan, sections and a photo survey, or buy a pre-approved standard plan. [2]

4. Apply for a building permit

   Apply online through the city's permit portal using the ADU building permit application for your property type. [2]

5. Get a decision

   The city must say within 15 business days whether your application is complete and approve or deny a complete application within 60 days. [1][7]

6. Record a JADU covenant if needed, build and pass inspections

   For a JADU, record the covenant and agreement before final permit approval. [1]

Pre-approved and sample plans

• Standard ADU Plan Program (Pre-Approved ADU Program)

  Expedited review for listed standard plans; one plan listed, a one-story 740 sq ft one-bedroom ADU by YD Group, bought from the designer. [2]

Who to call

• Glendale Planning/Zoning

  ADU zoning rules and counter consultations; email Zoning@GlendaleCA.gov (not for plan review)

  (818) 548-2140

  613 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206

  [2]

• Glendale Building Division

  Building permits and permit fee estimates

  (818) 548-3200

  [2]

• Standard ADU Plan Program (Lea Issagholian)

  Pre-approved ADU plans

  (818) 937-8139

  [2]

Questions people ask