Building an ADU in West Hollywood
City code and California law · Last reviewed October 9, 2026
West Hollywood rewrote its ADU rules in Ordinance No. 25-31, adopted January 20, 2026 to match state law in effect that year. ADUs that fit the state's protected categories, such as a garage conversion or a detached ADU up to 800 sq ft with 4-foot side and rear setbacks, need only a building permit. Larger ADUs (up to 850 sq ft with one bedroom, 1,200 sq ft with more) also need a ministerial ADU permit. No parking and no city impact fees are required, and the city offers a free pre-approved one-story ADU plan. [1][2][3]
| ADUs allowed | Yes; building-permit-only ADUs in any residential or mixed-use zone, other ADUs on lots zoned for single-family or multifamily homes [1] |
|---|---|
| Number on a single-family lot | 1 converted ADU + 1 JADU + 1 new detached ADU (up to 800 sq ft) [1] |
| Detached ADU max size | 800 sq ft with a building permit only; up to 850 sq ft (studio or one bedroom) or 1,200 sq ft (two or more) with an ADU permit [1] |
| Attached ADU max size | 850 / 1,200 sq ft, and no more than 50% of the existing house, but the city won't go below 800 sq ft; HCD says a percentage limit can't go below 850 sq ft [1][5] |
| Junior ADU | Up to 500 sq ft inside the house or an attached garage; single-family zones only [1] |
| Height | Detached 18 ft, up to 20 ft to match the house's roof pitch; attached 25 ft or the zone limit if lower, 2 stories max [1] |
| Side and rear setbacks | 4 ft for new construction; none to rebuild in the same place and size; fire-safe setbacks for conversions [1] |
| Front setback | ADU-permit ADUs: 10 ft in R-1 and R-2, 15 ft in R-3, 7.5 ft in R-4, but it can't push an ADU below 800 sq ft [1] |
| Parking | None required, and no replacement parking [1] |
| Owner occupancy | Not for ADUs; for a JADU only if it shares a bathroom [1] |
| Impact fees | None (no Chapter 19.64 impact fees on ADUs or JADUs) [1] |
| Approval deadline | Completeness in 15 business days; decision in 60 days, or 30 days with a pre-approved plan [1] |
| Short-term rental | No; ADUs follow the city's lease-term rules, generally a one-year initial lease [1][7] |
| Selling an ADU separately | Only as allowed by state law (Gov. Code 66341 or 66342), following the city's condominium and subdivision rules [1] |
On this page
What you can build in West Hollywood
West Hollywood's ADU rules are in Municipal Code section 19.36.310, restated in full by Ordinance No. 25-31. The City Council introduced it on December 15, 2025 and adopted it on January 20, 2026, according to the council's minutes; it took effect 30 days after adoption. The ordinance says it was needed so the city's rules would stay valid under state ADU law changes that took effect January 1, 2026. It also added a new Chapter 19.43 creating an "ADU permit."
There are two paths:
- Building permit only. These are the ADUs state law says every city must allow. On a single-family lot: one ADU and one JADU inside the house (existing or proposed), or an ADU inside an existing accessory building such as a garage (plus up to 150 sq ft for entry and exit), and one new detached ADU of up to 800 sq ft with 4-foot side and rear setbacks. On a multifamily lot: ADUs converted from non-living space such as storage rooms, attics, basements or garages (at least one, up to 25% of the existing units), and up to two detached ADUs with a proposed apartment building or up to eight with an existing one (no more than the number of existing units).
- ADU permit plus building permit. Other ADUs, such as larger attached or detached units, need a ministerial ADU permit and must meet the extra size, setback, floor area and design standards below.
Building-permit-only ADUs are allowed in any residential or mixed-use zone; ADU-permit ADUs on lots zoned for single-family or multifamily homes. JADUs are allowed only on lots zoned for single-family homes. An ADU that doesn't meet these objective standards may still be approved through a discretionary development permit. For the state rules, see our California page. [1][2][4]
Size, height and setbacks
Size (ADU-permit ADUs). An attached or detached ADU can have up to 850 sq ft of interior livable space as a studio or one bedroom, or 1,200 sq ft with two or more bedrooms. An attached ADU on a lot with an existing house is also limited to 50% of the house's floor area. In the R1-A, R1-B and R1-C zones, an ADU can't push the lot's floor area ratio over 0.5. The code says none of these limits, nor the front setback or building separation rules, can force an ADU below 800 sq ft. HCD says a percentage-of-house limit can't hold an ADU below 850 sq ft, so if the 50% rule would cut your attached ADU below 850 sq ft, confirm with the Planning Division. Building-permit-only detached ADUs are up to 800 sq ft, and a JADU is up to 500 sq ft.
Height. A detached ADU can be 18 feet, plus up to 2 feet (20 feet total) to match the roof pitch of the main house. An attached ADU can be 25 feet or the zone's limit for the house, whichever is lower, and no more than two stories. Height is measured from the grade that exists when you submit.
Setbacks. New ADUs need 4 feet from side and rear lot lines. ADU-permit ADUs also need a front setback: 10 feet in R-1 and R-2, 15 feet in R-3 and 7.5 feet in R-4. No setback applies when you rebuild in the same place and size as an existing structure. Conversions need side and rear setbacks that meet fire and building codes. Detached ADU-permit ADUs need 6 feet from other homes on the lot.
Design rules (ADU-permit ADUs). Exterior lights must be down-lights. No ADU window or door may look directly into a neighbor's window or door unless it is screened by fencing, landscaping or privacy glass. On a property listed on the California Register of Historical Resources, the ADU must not be visible from any public right-of-way. Rooftop decks are not allowed on ADUs, except that R-3 and R-4 properties can apply for one through a development permit. [1][5]
Parking
No off-street parking is required for an ADU. If you demolish or convert a garage, carport or parking space to build one, you don't have to replace it. The city also requires no passageway (a clear path from the street) to the ADU. [1]
Fees
Impact fees. West Hollywood charges no Chapter 19.64 impact fee on ADUs or JADUs. ADUs and JADUs under 500 sq ft of interior livable space are not subject to school fees.
ADU permit fee. The city may charge a processing fee for ADU permits, set by the Community Development Director and approved by City Council resolution. You also pay building permit and plan check fees with your application.
Utility connections. A converted ADU or JADU on a single-family lot does not need a separate utility connection or connection fee. Other ADUs need a separate connection, with a fee proportionate to the ADU's size or plumbing fixtures; utilities not run by the city set their own fees. An ADU built together with a new house pays normal new-home connection fees.
For typical costs see our ADU cost guide, and for how an ADU affects your tax bill, our ADU property tax guide. [1][3]
How long it takes
Applications are approved ministerially, with no hearing. The city must tell you within 15 business days whether your application is complete and list anything missing, and check a resubmittal within another 15 business days. It must approve or deny a complete application within 60 days, or it is deemed approved. With a city pre-approved plan, or a plan identical to a detached ADU the city already approved in the current code cycle, the deadline is 30 days. A denial must list every deficiency and how to fix it. You can appeal an incompleteness finding or a denial to the Planning Commission in writing through the City Clerk.
If you apply with a new house, the city may hold the ADU until it acts on the house. A demolition permit for a detached garage being replaced by an ADU is reviewed and issued with the ADU. The ADU can't get a certificate of occupancy before the main house, except under a Governor's state of emergency for Los Angeles County declared on or after February 1, 2025, when the house was substantially damaged or destroyed in that event, the ADU is detached and it has passed all inspections.
Projects submitted to Building and Safety since January 1, 2026 must meet the 2025 California Building Codes, and incomplete submittals are denied. Applications go through the city's online Permitting and License Portal. See our ADU permit process guide. [1][6]
Garage conversions, junior ADUs and unpermitted units
Garage conversions. Converting a garage or other accessory building into an ADU needs only a building permit. You can add up to 150 sq ft for entry and exit, the ADU needs its own exterior access, and setbacks need only meet fire and building codes. Lost garage parking doesn't have to be replaced. See our garage conversion guide.
Junior ADUs. A JADU is up to 500 sq ft inside an existing or proposed single-family home; an attached garage counts as part of the home. It needs an efficiency kitchen (cooking appliances, a prep counter and storage cabinets). If it has no bathroom of its own, it needs an interior door to the house plus its own exterior entrance. The owner must live in the house or the JADU only if the JADU shares a bathroom (or unless the owner is a government agency, land trust or housing organization). Before the certificate of occupancy, you record a city deed restriction that bars selling the JADU separately and fixes its size. See our junior ADU guide.
Sprinklers. An ADU or JADU needs fire sprinklers only if the main house is required to have them, and adding one doesn't trigger sprinklers in the house.
Unpermitted units. The city can't deny a permit to legalize an ADU or JADU built before January 1, 2020 just because it breaks building standards or ADU rules, unless fixing a violation is needed to meet the state's substandard-housing standards. The city also won't deny an ADU because of other nonconforming conditions or unpermitted structures on the lot that don't threaten health and safety. [1]
Renting it out and selling
ADUs and JADUs follow the lease-term rules for all homes in West Hollywood (WHMC 19.36.275). The city says most housing types must be leased for an initial term of at least one year, and since January 1, 2025 that one-year minimum also applies to single-family homes and condominiums, so short-term rentals are out. Confirm which rule applies to your ADU with the Planning Division. Owner occupancy is not required for ADUs.
Selling. An ADU can be sold separately only as state law allows, under Government Code 66341 or as a condominium under Government Code 66342. A condominium ADU must follow the city's common interest development and subdivision rules, and it can't be used as a timeshare or fractional ownership. A separately sold ADU needs its own direct utility connection.
Affordable ADUs. If you rent an ADU to a very-low, low- or moderate-income household under a voluntary city incentive program, you record a deed restriction keeping it affordable for at least 55 years. [1][7]
Free city ADU plan
Under its Pre-Approved ADU Plan Program, West Hollywood offers its own pre-approved plan free of charge for a one-story detached ADU that can be used on any residential property in the city. It meets the 2024 California Residential Code. You sign a hold harmless agreement first, then receive the full plan set. Changes beyond those the plan allows remove its pre-approved status. You still need a site plan by a qualified engineer or architect based on a current survey.
The city reviews pre-approved plan applications within 30 days; resubmittals take about two weeks. Third-party designers can submit plans to be added to the city's list; as of October 2026 the list says it is "To be updated as plans are submitted to the City." For other designs see our prefab ADU guide and hiring ADU help. [3]
Permit steps in West Hollywood
Check which path fits
Decide whether your ADU qualifies for a building permit only or needs an ADU permit. Email planning@weho.org, call (323) 848-6475 and leave a message, or book a planning appointment. [1][8]
Prepare plans
Hire a designer, or sign the hold harmless agreement for the free city plan. Add a site plan showing buildings, setbacks, separation, utilities, fire-rated walls and trees. [3]
Apply online
Create an account on the Permitting and License Portal and submit your application, plans, owner's affidavit and fees to Planning and Building. [3][6]
Get a completeness decision and respond to corrections
The city must say within 15 business days whether your application is complete. Answer corrections with revised plans and a response sheet. [1][3]
Get approval
The city must approve or deny within 60 days of a complete application, or 30 days with a pre-approved plan. [1]
Build, inspect and record
Schedule inspections through the portal. For a JADU, record the city's deed restriction before the certificate of occupancy. [1][6]
Pre-approved and sample plans
City-Offered Pre-Approved ADU Plan
Free plan for a one-story detached ADU usable on any residential property; sign a hold harmless agreement, add a site plan; 30-day review. [1][3]
Who to call
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West Hollywood Current and Historic Preservation Planning Division
ADU rules, ADU permits and the pre-approved plan program; leave a detailed voicemail or email planning@weho.org
City Hall, 8300 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
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West Hollywood Building and Safety Division
Building permits, plan check and inspections
Questions people ask
How big can an ADU be in West Hollywood?
A detached ADU of up to 800 sq ft needs only a building permit. With an ADU permit, an ADU can be up to 850 sq ft as a studio or one bedroom or 1,200 sq ft with two or more bedrooms; an attached ADU is also capped at 50% of the house, which the city says won't go below 800 sq ft (HCD says a percentage limit can't go below 850 sq ft). A JADU is up to 500 sq ft. [1][5]
How tall can an ADU be in West Hollywood?
A detached ADU can be 18 feet, or up to 20 feet to match the main house's roof pitch. An attached ADU can be 25 feet or the zone's limit, whichever is lower, and no more than two stories. [1]
Does West Hollywood have free ADU plans?
Yes. The city offers a free pre-approved plan for a one-story detached ADU. You sign a hold harmless agreement to get the full set and add your own site plan. Applications using it are reviewed within 30 days. [1][3]
Do I need parking for an ADU in West Hollywood?
No. West Hollywood requires no parking for ADUs, and parking lost to a garage conversion doesn't have to be replaced. [1]
Sources (8)
- Ordinance No. 25-31: Amending Section 19.36.310 (Accessory and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units) and adding Chapter 19.43 (ADU Permit), Exhibit A-1 (City Council agenda copy, January 20, 2026), City of West Hollywood. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- City Council Minutes, January 20, 2026 (Item B.5, Ordinance No. 25-31 adopted), City of West Hollywood. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Plan Program, City of West Hollywood Current and Historic Preservation Planning Division. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- City Council Agenda Item B.5, January 20, 2026: Adopt Ordinance No. 25-31 (2nd Reading), City of West Hollywood. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- Accessory Dwelling Unit Handbook (March 2026), California Department of Housing and Community Development. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- Building and Safety, City of West Hollywood. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- Zone Text Amendment - Lease Terms (Single-Family Residences & Condos), City of West Hollywood (Engage WeHo). Accessed October 9, 2026.
- Current and Historic Preservation Planning, City of West Hollywood. Accessed October 9, 2026.