Find a Contractor

ADU Rules in Glendale, Arizona

Complete guide to building an Accessory Dwelling Unit in Glendale — zoning, setbacks, permits, costs, and more.

Max Size: Up to the gross floor area of the existing house, but never more than 1,000 sq ft (UDC §35.3.204.A.16; Ord. O25-45 changed 'square footage' to 'gross floor area'). Gross floor area is measured within the exterior walls (§35.8.004). This beats the state floor of the lesser of 1,000 sq ft or 75% of the house (A.R.S. §9-461.18(A)(3)), so a 1,000 sq ft casita is legal behind a 1,000 sq ft house Setbacks: No less than 5 ft from the rear property line (UDC §35.3.204.A.11.a); the house itself needs 15–25 ft in the R1 districts, so the ADU may sit closer than the house. State law caps what the city may require at 5 ft (A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(6)). A detached unit must also stand behind the front plane of the house and 6 ft (fire-rated) or 10 ft from it (§35.3.203.B.1, B.3) No Parking Required Verified: 2026-09-20

Researched by ADU Zoning Hub · verified 2026-09-20 against Glendale planning code and Arizona ADU law · methodology · 22 sources cited ↓

ADU Score: 7/10
Moderately friendly · how we score

Are ADUs allowed in Glendale, AZ? [1][2][3][4][5][6]

Yes. Glendale allows ADUs on most residential lots. A detached unit can be up to 1,000 sq ft, set 5 ft back from the rear line. No extra parking is required. Owner-occupancy is not required, so the unit can be rented out. A building permit is required and applications are reviewed through the standard permit process.

Maximum sizeUp to the gross floor area of the existing house, but never more than 1,000 sq ft (UDC §35.3.204.A.16; Ord. O25-45 changed 'square footage' to 'gross floor area'). Gross floor area is measured within the exterior walls (§35.8.004). This beats the state floor of the lesser of 1,000 sq ft or 75% of the house (A.R.S. §9-461.18(A)(3)), so a 1,000 sq ft casita is legal behind a 1,000 sq ft house
SetbacksRear No less than 5 ft from the rear property line (UDC §35.3.204.A.11.a); the house itself needs 15–25 ft in the R1 districts, so the ADU may sit closer than the house. State law caps what the city may require at 5 ft (A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(6)). A detached unit must also stand behind the front plane of the house and 6 ft (fire-rated) or 10 ft from it (§35.3.203.B.1, B.3) · Side No less than 5 ft from each side property line (UDC §35.3.204.A.11.b), which is also the state-law ceiling (A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(6)). The house itself needs 5 and 10 ft in R1-8/7/6 and 10 ft in R1-10 (Table 2.300-2); ask the planner how the 10-ft street-side minimum is applied on a corner lot
ParkingNone — no additional parking space or in-lieu fee may be required (UDC §35.3.204.A.20; A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(3)). The ADU may not have its own driveway or parking area separate from the house's (A.20), and front-yard paving stays within §35.4.006 — at most 50% of the front yard on lots under 8,000 sq ft, 40% on larger lots
Owner-occupancyNot required for a long-term lease. Since Ord. O25-45 (adopted Nov 25, 2025) the rule applies only to short-term rentals: to rent either unit for under 30 days the owner (title holder or contract purchaser) must live in the house or the ADU (UDC §35.3.204.A.25). The old A.26 ban on renting an ADU separately when neither unit was owner-occupied was deleted, in line with A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(1)-(2). Owners with an ADU certificate of occupancy on or before Sept 14, 2024 are exempt (A.26)

Do I need a permit to build an ADU in Glendale? [7][8][9][10][11][12]

Yes. Every ADU in Glendale needs a building permit. Review process: Two steps, by right — no hearing, variance or use permit (A.R.S. §9-461.18(I)(5)). First a Zoning Clearance from Planning: file a Planning Service Request to be assigned a planner; the written determination is due within 10 working days of a complete application (UDC §35.3.204.A.2, §35.6.210.B.4). Then building permits through Development Services, submitted electronically as one PDF (permits@glendaleaz.com, 623-930-2800). Choosing a city Permit-Ready ADU plan swaps the design step for a site plan review.

Permit fees$2,500-$3,400 in review and permit fees for a 500-1,000 sq ft ADU (May 2019 fee schedule Table 3A at the city's $120.75/sq ft valuation; city's 1,000 sq ft estimate: zoning clearance $144, plan review $1,052.90, permit $1,403.86, right-of-way permit $443.60) — plus the $775.25 impact fee
Typical timelineabout 10 working days for the zoning-clearance determination (UDC §35.6.210.B.4), then a 10-business-day target for the first building plan review of room additions and accessory buildings, 15 for custom home plans (city Plan Review Turnaround Times sheet)
Official Glendale links:

Three things to know before you build in Glendale

  • A full kitchen is allowed: the code requires 'at a minimum' a kitchenette — sink, refrigerator and a microwave outlet with no 220-V range outlet (UDC §35.3.204.A.1, A.14; §35.8.004). If you want a range, draw a kitchen rather than a kitchenette and say so at zoning clearance
  • Price the water meter first: every ADU needs its own city water meter (A.24), which means a new tap to the main in the street, a right-of-way permit ($443.60) and a licensed contractor for the trench — $8,000–$15,000 in a 2026 Phoenix-metro guide and rarely in a builder's quote. No water or sewer impact fee is charged unless the combined demand forces a larger meter
  • Use the size rule: Glendale lets the ADU match the house's gross floor area up to 1,000 sq ft, so a 1,000 sq ft casita is legal behind a 1,000 sq ft house here — in Peoria or Phoenix the 75% rule would cap it at 750

Last verified 2026-09-20 against Glendale planning code. How we verify

Glendale allows one attached and one detached ADU by right on any lot zoned for a single-family home that already has one (Glendale UDC §35.3.204.A, adopted Dec 10, 2024 by Ord. O24-51 and rewritten Nov 25, 2025 by Ord. O25-45). The unit may match the house's gross floor area up to 1,000 sq ft, sits no closer than 5 ft to the rear and side lines, follows the district's height and lot-coverage limits, and needs no extra parking. Since the November 2025 amendment the owner only has to live on site to rent a unit short-term; long-term leases of either unit no longer require owner-occupancy. City fees for a 1,000 sq ft unit run about $3,400 in review and permit fees plus a $775.25 ADU impact fee (schedule effective Sept 8, 2025), and the city offers three free pre-approved ADU plans of 204, 512 and 994 sq ft. Every ADU still needs its own city water meter, which means a new tap in the street.

In Glendale you will also hear an ADU called a casita — Arizona's ADU statute (A.R.S. §9-461.18) and most local codes use it. The rules on this page apply either way.

Zoning & Size Requirements [1][2][3][4][5][6]

Yes — Glendale allows ADUs. A detached ADU can typically be up to 1,000 sq ft under current Arizona and Glendale zoning rules.

See what this means for your lot — ask Glendale ADU builders for a quote →

Allowed Zonesany zoning district that allows a single-family dwelling, on a lot or parcel that already has one (UDC §35.3.204.A.3) — RR-45, SR-30/17/12, R1-10/8/7/6/4 and any other zone that permits a house. Not allowed on a lot with a duplex or other multifamily development, whatever the zoning (A.4), and never before the main house is built (A.5). Tribal and airport-vicinity parcels sit outside the state mandate (A.R.S. §9-461.18(G))
Max Size (Detached)Up to the gross floor area of the existing house, but never more than 1,000 sq ft (UDC §35.3.204.A.16; Ord. O25-45 changed 'square footage' to 'gross floor area'). Gross floor area is measured within the exterior walls (§35.8.004). This beats the state floor of the lesser of 1,000 sq ft or 75% of the house (A.R.S. §9-461.18(A)(3)), so a 1,000 sq ft casita is legal behind a 1,000 sq ft house
Max Size (Attached)Same cap — up to the house's gross floor area, never more than 1,000 sq ft (UDC §35.3.204.A.16). An attached unit must still have its own entrance and stay secondary in size and function to the main house (A.1, A.5)
Max Size (JADU)Not a category in Arizona — Glendale's code has no junior ADU. A converted garage or other permitted accessory building becomes an ordinary ADU and must meet every ADU standard (UDC §35.3.204.A.18)
Max HeightThe zoning district's maximum for a house (UDC §35.3.204.A.12): 30 ft and two stories in R1-10, R1-8, R1-7, R1-6 and R1-4 (Table 2.300-2) and 30 ft in RR-45 and SR-30/17/12 (Table 2.200-2). The general 16-ft cap on accessory buildings in R1/RR/SR districts (§35.3.203.C.1) is written for garages and sheds, and state law bars a stricter height for an ADU than for the house (A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(5)) — confirm at zoning clearance if you plan two stories
Max Units2 per lot — one attached plus one detached ADU (UDC §35.3.204.A.9). On a lot of 1 acre or more: one attached plus two detached, but only if at least one is recorded as a restricted-affordable unit — rent capped at 80% of area median income under a 30-year deed restriction or development agreement, with an annual report to the city each January (A.10, A.28). An ADU cannot be sold separately from the house (A.8)

Setback Requirements [1][2][3][4][5][6]

Glendale requires a rear setback of about 5 ft for a detached ADU, and no additional parking is required. Owner-occupancy is not required — you can rent it out without living on the property.

Rear SetbackNo less than 5 ft from the rear property line (UDC §35.3.204.A.11.a); the house itself needs 15–25 ft in the R1 districts, so the ADU may sit closer than the house. State law caps what the city may require at 5 ft (A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(6)). A detached unit must also stand behind the front plane of the house and 6 ft (fire-rated) or 10 ft from it (§35.3.203.B.1, B.3)
Side SetbackNo less than 5 ft from each side property line (UDC §35.3.204.A.11.b), which is also the state-law ceiling (A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(6)). The house itself needs 5 and 10 ft in R1-8/7/6 and 10 ft in R1-10 (Table 2.300-2); ask the planner how the 10-ft street-side minimum is applied on a corner lot
Front SetbackNo less than the front-yard setback of the zoning district (UDC §35.3.204.A.11.c): 15 ft to living area and 20 ft to a front-entry garage in R1-10 through R1-4 (Table 2.300-2), 25 ft in SR-17 and SR-12, 40 ft in RR-45 and SR-30 (Table 2.200-2). A detached ADU must also sit behind the nearest front plane of the house (§35.3.203.B.1)
Parking RequiredNone — no additional parking space or in-lieu fee may be required (UDC §35.3.204.A.20; A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(3)). The ADU may not have its own driveway or parking area separate from the house's (A.20), and front-yard paving stays within §35.4.006 — at most 50% of the front yard on lots under 8,000 sq ft, 40% on larger lots
Owner OccupancyNot required for a long-term lease. Since Ord. O25-45 (adopted Nov 25, 2025) the rule applies only to short-term rentals: to rent either unit for under 30 days the owner (title holder or contract purchaser) must live in the house or the ADU (UDC §35.3.204.A.25). The old A.26 ban on renting an ADU separately when neither unit was owner-occupied was deleted, in line with A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(1)-(2). Owners with an ADU certificate of occupancy on or before Sept 14, 2024 are exempt (A.26)
Min Lot SizeNo ADU-specific minimum lot size — an ADU is allowed wherever a house is (UDC §35.3.204.A.3) and does not count as a dwelling unit for density (A.1). The district's lot-coverage cap is the practical limit: 40% in R1-10/8/7/6, 45% in R1-4, 20–35% in RR-45 and the SR districts, with accessory buildings counted (§35.3.203.C.4). A lot of 1 acre or more unlocks a third unit (A.10)

Permit Process & Fees [7][8][9][10][11][12]

An ADU permit in Glendale goes through a standard permit review. Typical timeline: about 10 working days for the zoning-clearance determination (UDC §35.6.210.B.4), then a 10-business-day target for the first building plan review of room additions and accessory buildings, 15 for custom home plans (city Plan Review Turnaround Times sheet). Fees range from $2,500-$3,400 in review and permit fees for a 500-1,000 sq ft ADU (May 2019 fee schedule Table 3A at the city's $120.75/sq ft valuation; city's 1,000 sq ft estimate: zoning clearance $144, plan review $1,052.90, permit $1,403.86, right-of-way permit $443.60) — plus the $775.25 impact fee.

Approval ProcessTwo steps, by right — no hearing, variance or use permit (A.R.S. §9-461.18(I)(5)). First a Zoning Clearance from Planning: file a Planning Service Request to be assigned a planner; the written determination is due within 10 working days of a complete application (UDC §35.3.204.A.2, §35.6.210.B.4). Then building permits through Development Services, submitted electronically as one PDF (permits@glendaleaz.com, 623-930-2800). Choosing a city Permit-Ready ADU plan swaps the design step for a site plan review
Review Timelineabout 10 working days for the zoning-clearance determination (UDC §35.6.210.B.4), then a 10-business-day target for the first building plan review of room additions and accessory buildings, 15 for custom home plans (city Plan Review Turnaround Times sheet)
Permit Fees$2,500-$3,400 in review and permit fees for a 500-1,000 sq ft ADU (May 2019 fee schedule Table 3A at the city's $120.75/sq ft valuation; city's 1,000 sq ft estimate: zoning clearance $144, plan review $1,052.90, permit $1,403.86, right-of-way permit $443.60) — plus the $775.25 impact fee
Impact FeesYes, but small since Sept 8, 2025: the Development Impact Fee Schedule (updated 6/24/2026) charges an ADU, attached or detached, 25% of the single-family rate — fire $212.50, library $88.75, parks $298.50, police $175.50, streets $0 — $775.25 in total. Water and wastewater impact fees apply only if the ADU's demand forces a larger meter, and then only the difference between sizes (3/4-inch to 1-inch: $11,898 − $7,125 = $4,773). The March 2025 handout's $9,630 detached / $8,780 attached impact-fee figures predate this schedule
Plan CheckFull residential plan review under the 2024 International Building, Residential and Fire Codes with city amendments, adopted Dec 9, 2025 and effective Jan 9, 2026 (UDC §35.3.204.A.22). State law bars a commercial code or a fire-sprinkler requirement for an ADU (A.R.S. §9-461.18(D)). Budget for the separate city water meter every ADU must have (A.24): a new tap to the main in the street, a right-of-way permit and a licensed contractor. Expedited review halves the target time at 300% of the plan-review fee
Pre-Approved PlansYes — the Glendale Permit-Ready Plan Program (live 2026, meeting A.R.S. §9-461.20) offers three free ADU plans: a 204 sq ft studio, a 512 sq ft 2-bedroom (36 ft × 16 ft) and a 994 sq ft 2-bedroom with study, each in ranch, contemporary and Spanish elevations, plus three house plans. No modifications allowed. Site plan review costs $61.44 planning + $122.88 building + $35.89 engineering with a 10-business-day target, then permit and impact fees

Get Free ADU Quotes in Glendale

Tell us about your project and we'll pass it to ADU builders serving Glendale. Free, no obligation — you choose who to work with. We don't have builders in every area yet; if nobody covers yours, we'll email you to say so.

1. Tell us your project
Takes about a minute.
2. We match local pros
Up to 5 independent local ADU builders — never more, and we tell them nothing you don't submit here.
3. You choose
Compare quotes, verify license & insurance, hire (or don't). No spam either way.

+ Add project details (optional — helps builders quote faster)
+ Add budget (optional — helps builders scope the right design)

🔒 Your info is secure. We share it only with contractors quoting your project. No spam, no obligation.

Just browsing? Search ADU builders near you by ZIP code.

Construction Costs [13][14][15][16]

Building an ADU in Glendale typically costs $150,000-$280,000 ($175-$350 per sq ft); a garage conversion runs $80,000-$150,000.

See what this means for your lot — ask Glendale ADU builders for a quote →

Average Build Cost$150,000-$280,000
Cost per Sq Ft$175-$350
Garage Conversion$80,000-$150,000
Prefab ADU (Installed)$150,000-$300,000

Finance Your ADU Project

Most ADU projects are funded through HELOCs, construction loans, or cash-out refinancing. Compare rates from top lenders.

Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Rental Income Potential [17][18][19][20][21][22]

A 2-bedroom ADU in Glendale rents for around $1,400-$2,050/mo, an estimated 5-10% gross rental yield.

Avg Rent (1 Bedroom)$1,200-$1,750/mo
Avg Rent (2 Bedroom)$1,400-$2,050/mo
Short-Term RentalYes, with conditions: to rent either unit for under 30 days the owner must occupy the house or the ADU as their principal residence (UDC §35.3.204.A.25; authority A.R.S.
Est. Annual ROI5-10% gross rental yield

Explore Prefab ADU Options

Prefab ADUs can save 20-40% vs. traditional construction and cut build time in half.

Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Recent Law Changes

What's Changed Recently

  • Ord. O25-45 (ZTA25-02), adopted Nov 25, 2025 and recorded Nov 26, 2025, rewrote UDC §35.3.204.A: owner-occupancy now applies only to short-term rentals (A.25), the ban on separately renting a non-owner-occupied ADU (old A.26) was deleted, every ADU now gets its own address (A.21, previously 'no separate address'), and the size cap is measured in gross floor area (A.16). Codified in Supp. 115 (through Ord. O26-19, April 14, 2026)
  • Development Impact Fee Schedule effective Sept 8, 2025 (updated June 24, 2026): a new ADU line at 25% of the single-family fee — $775.25 — with water and wastewater impact fees charged only when the ADU forces a meter upsizing. The March 2025 ADU handout's $13,034 detached / $12,184 attached all-in estimates, built on $9,630 / $8,780 of impact fees, are superseded
  • Glendale Permit-Ready Plan Program launched in 2026: three free pre-approved ADU plans (204, 512 and 994 sq ft) with three elevations each, meeting the A.R.S. §9-461.20 Class 4 requirement that took effect July 1, 2026
  • 2024 International Building and Fire Codes adopted Dec 9, 2025 and effective Jan 9, 2026; plans submitted after July 9, 2026 must comply (Development Services memo, Dec 10, 2025)
  • Ord. O24-51, adopted Dec 10, 2024, created UDC §35.3.204.A ahead of the Jan 1, 2025 deadline in A.R.S. §9-461.18 (HB 2720, Laws 2024 ch. 196; restructured by HB 2928, Laws 2025 ch. 217): one attached plus one detached ADU by right, 5-ft setbacks, no parking, no exterior-design matching
  • Short-term rental licensing under City Code §29.1-41 (Ord. O22-34, amended by O23-08 and O24-27 on Aug 13, 2024): annual $100 licence per unit, $500,000 liability cover, neighbor notification and a state TPT licence

Tips for Building an ADU in Glendale

  • A full kitchen is allowed: the code requires 'at a minimum' a kitchenette — sink, refrigerator and a microwave outlet with no 220-V range outlet (UDC §35.3.204.A.1, A.14; §35.8.004). If you want a range, draw a kitchen rather than a kitchenette and say so at zoning clearance
  • Price the water meter first: every ADU needs its own city water meter (A.24), which means a new tap to the main in the street, a right-of-way permit ($443.60) and a licensed contractor for the trench — $8,000–$15,000 in a 2026 Phoenix-metro guide and rarely in a builder's quote. No water or sewer impact fee is charged unless the combined demand forces a larger meter
  • Use the size rule: Glendale lets the ADU match the house's gross floor area up to 1,000 sq ft, so a 1,000 sq ft casita is legal behind a 1,000 sq ft house here — in Peoria or Phoenix the 75% rule would cap it at 750
  • Look at the three free Permit-Ready plans before paying a designer: 204, 512 and 994 sq ft, no modifications allowed, about $220 in site plan review fees with a 10-business-day target. The 994 sq ft 2-bedroom-plus-study plan fits just under the 1,000 sq ft cap
  • Check lot coverage before choosing a plan: an R1-6 lot of 6,000 sq ft at 40% allows 2,400 sq ft of roofed area for house, garage, patio covers and ADU together (Table 2.300-2; §35.3.203.C.4). A 1,800 sq ft house with a 400 sq ft garage leaves only 200 sq ft — administrative relief can add up to 10% (§35.6.210.C)
  • Get zoning clearance before you spend on construction drawings — Planning must issue a Zoning Clearance ($144) before building permits are accepted, and the written determination is due within 10 working days of a complete application (§35.6.210.B.4)
  • Prefab is fine, wheels are not: a mobile home, RV or other movable unit cannot be an ADU, and an off-site-built unit must sit on an approved foundation (§35.3.204.A.6, A.13)
  • Renting long-term no longer requires you to live on site (Ord. O25-45, Nov 2025); stays under 30 days do, plus the $100 STR licence, TPT registration and $500,000 cover. The city's ADU handout and FAQ still show the 2024 wording — the codified §35.3.204.A.25–26 controls
  • Check your plat for public utility easements early — an ADU may not encroach on an existing or planned easement without written consent from every easement holder and affected utility (§35.3.204.A.19; A.R.S. §9-461.18(E))
  • Since November 2025 the ADU gets its own address (A.21) — ask Development Services for the assignment during permitting; the handout's 'Unit 1 / Unit 2' note is superseded
  • Cost basis: 2026 Phoenix-metro guides (Fenn Rogers May 2026, Rise Above 2026, Dwelling Index May 2026) put a mid-range detached unit at $150,000–$250,000, custom builds at $250,000–$400,000+, garage conversions at $80,000–$150,000 and $175–$350 per sq ft; Glendale's permit valuation for a 1,000 sq ft unit is only $120,750, so do not budget from the city's figure
  • Cost basis (2026-09-20 re-verification): short term allowed: Yes, with conditions: to rent either unit for under 30 days the owner must occupy the house or the ADU as their principal residence (UDC §35.3.204.A.25; authority A.R.S. §9-500.39(B)(9)), unless the ADU had a certificate of occupancy on or before Sept 14, 2024 (A.26). Every short-term rental also needs an annual city licence ($100 per unit, City Code §29.1-41.3), a state TPT licence (combined Glendale rate 15.7%), $500,000 liability cover, written neighbor notification and Maricopa County Assessor registration

ADU Builders in Glendale

Looking for an ADU builder in Glendale? ADU projects need a contractor experienced with local zoning, the permit process, and utility connections — not every general contractor has built one. We match Glendale homeowners with experienced local ADU contractors who provide free, no-obligation quotes. Getting at least three bids typically saves 20-40% on the same scope.

Sources & References

All data on this page is sourced from official government records and verified market data. View our full methodology.

  1. Glendale Unified Development Code §35.3.204.A Accessory Dwelling Unit (Municode, Supp. 115, codified through Ord. O26-19 of April 14, 2026; history: Ord. O24-51 12-10-24, Ord. O25-45 11-25-25) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
  2. Ordinance No. O25-45 (ZTA25-02) — amending UDC §35.3.204.A, adopted Nov 25, 2025, recorded Nov 26, 2025 (redline; posted on the Permit-Ready Plans page) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
  3. Glendale UDC §35.3.203 Accessory Buildings and Structures; §35.6.210 Zoning Clearance; §35.8.004 Definitions (ADU, kitchenette, gross floor area); Tables 2.200-2 and 2.300-2 district standards (Municode) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
  4. City of Glendale — Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Requirements and Updates handout, revised 3/6/2025 (fee estimate; carries the pre-O25-45 text of A.21, A.25 and A.26) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
  5. City of Glendale Planning & Zoning FAQ — Accessory Dwelling Unit section (updated for the UDC; still shows the 2024 'no separate address' wording) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
  6. A.R.S. §9-461.18 — Accessory dwelling units; regulation; applicability; definitions state_statute — Accessed 2026-09-20
  7. City of Glendale Development Impact Fee Schedule, effective 9/8/2025, updated 6/24/2026 (ADU row at 25% of single-family; water/wastewater ADU note) fee_schedule — Accessed 2026-09-20
  8. City of Glendale Fee Schedule effective May 10, 2019 — Building Safety Table 3A permit fees, plan review 75% of permit, record retention 1%, Planning fees, water meter and ROW fees fee_schedule — Accessed 2026-09-20
  9. City of Glendale — Plan Review: Target Turnaround Times (effective 1/29/2018; residential table) building_dept — Accessed 2026-09-20
  10. City of Glendale — Glendale Permit-Ready Plans program page (three ADU plans: 204, 512, 994 sq ft) and program FAQ (site plan review fees, 10-business-day target) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
  11. City of Glendale Development Services memo — 2024 Building Code Implementation (adopted Dec 9, 2025; effective Jan 9, 2026) building_dept — Accessed 2026-09-20
  12. A.R.S. §9-461.20 — Standard preapproved housing design plans (Class 4 ADU plans from July 1, 2026) state_statute — Accessed 2026-09-20
  13. ADUs in Arizona: Rules, Costs, What to Know (2026) — Fenn Rogers Custom Homes, Mesa (updated May 12, 2026) industry — Accessed 2026-09-20
  14. How Much Does It Cost to Build a Casita in Arizona? (2026 Guide) — Rise Above Remodeling, Phoenix industry — Accessed 2026-09-20
  15. Prefab Modular ADU: 2026 Costs, Code Paths & Lot Fit — Dwelling Index (updated May 27, 2026) industry — Accessed 2026-09-20
  16. City of Glendale ADU handout — permit construction valuation of $120,750 for a 1,000 sq ft R-3 V-B ADU (Table 3B), i.e. $120.75/sq ft for fee purposes only Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
  17. HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler MSA — ZIP codes 85301–85310 (1BR $1,200–$1,980; 2BR $1,390–$2,300) Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
  18. RentCafe — Average Rent in Glendale, AZ (updated August 31, 2026: studio $952, 1BR $1,209, 2BR $1,513, 3BR $1,958; city average $1,374) Market Data — Accessed 2026-09-20
  19. Glendale City Code §29.1-41 Short-Term Rentals (Ord. O22-34, O23-08, O24-27) — licence, $100 fee, insurance, neighbor notification, penalties Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
  20. City of Glendale — Vacation and Short-Term Rentals page (registration, TPT 15.7%, Maricopa County Assessor registration) city_website — Accessed 2026-09-20
  21. A.R.S. §9-500.39 — Vacation rentals; short-term rentals (B)(9) owner-residency option for ADUs finaled on or after Sept 14, 2024 state_statute — Accessed 2026-09-20
  22. U.S. Census Bureau — Vintage 2024 Population Estimates, sub-est2024.csv (Glendale city, AZ: 258,143) Government Data — Accessed 2026-09-06

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build an ADU in Glendale?

Yes. ADUs are allowed in any zoning district that allows a single-family dwelling, on a lot or parcel that already has one (UDC §35.3.204.A.3) — RR-45, SR-30/17/12, R1-10/8/7/6/4 and any other zone that permits a house. Not allowed on a lot with a duplex or other multifamily development, whatever the zoning (A.4), and never before the main house is built (A.5). Tribal and airport-vicinity parcels sit outside the state mandate (A.R.S. §9-461.18(G)) in Glendale. The maximum size for a detached ADU is Up to the gross floor area of the existing house, but never more than 1,000 sq ft (UDC §35.3.204.A.16; Ord. O25-45 changed 'square footage' to 'gross floor area'). Gross floor area is measured within the exterior walls (§35.8.004). This beats the state floor of the lesser of 1,000 sq ft or 75% of the house (A.R.S. §9-461.18(A)(3)), so a 1,000 sq ft casita is legal behind a 1,000 sq ft house. Owner-occupancy is not required, so you can rent out the ADU.

How much does an ADU cost in Glendale?

ADU construction in Glendale typically costs $150,000-$280,000. Garage conversions run $80,000-$150,000, and prefab ADUs cost $150,000-$300,000.

How much can I rent an ADU for in Glendale?

Average ADU rents in Glendale are $1,200-$1,750/mo for a 1-bedroom and $1,400-$2,050/mo for a 2-bedroom unit.

Do I need parking for an ADU in Glendale?

None — no additional parking space or in-lieu fee may be required (UDC §35.3.204.A.20; A.R.S. §9-461.18(B)(3)). The ADU may not have its own driveway or parking area separate from the house's (A.20), and front-yard paving stays within §35.4.006 — at most 50% of the front yard on lots under 8,000 sq ft, 40% on larger lots. Check with Glendale planning department for the latest Arizona ADU parking rules, as many states have relaxed requirements in recent years.

How long does it take to get an ADU permit in Glendale?

The permit review timeline in Glendale is about 10 working days for the zoning-clearance determination (UDC §35.6.210.B.4), then a 10-business-day target for the first building plan review of room additions and accessory buildings, 15 for custom home plans (city Plan Review Turnaround Times sheet). Fees range from $2,500-$3,400 in review and permit fees for a 500-1,000 sq ft ADU (May 2019 fee schedule Table 3A at the city's $120.75/sq ft valuation; city's 1,000 sq ft estimate: zoning clearance $144, plan review $1,052.90, permit $1,403.86, right-of-way permit $443.60) — plus the $775.25 impact fee.

Ready to Build in Glendale?

Get free, no-obligation quotes from top-rated ADU contractors in Glendale.

Get Free Quotes →

Build ADUs in Glendale?

Homeowners read this page while planning, then ask us to connect them with a local builder. We pass those requests to builders who cover Glendale — a flat fee only on the leads you accept, no subscription, and you contract directly with the homeowner.

See who's waiting in Arizona →

ADU Guides for Glendale Homeowners

FAQ

Glendale ADU FAQ

Answers to every common question about building an ADU in Glendale — costs, rules, permits, rental income.

Read FAQ → Cost Guide

Glendale ADU Costs

Detailed cost breakdown: construction $150,000-$280,000, garage conversion $80,000-$150,000, plus ROI analysis.

See full breakdown →

Garage Conversion ADU Guide

Complete guide to costs ($80K-$180K), impact fee savings, and permits for garage-to-ADU conversions.

Read guide →

ADU vs Mother-in-Law Suite

Legal differences that affect what you can build, how you can use it, and rental rights.

Read guide →
About this information: This page is an informational summary of publicly available regulations - it is not legal, financial, or professional advice, and it is not a substitute for confirming requirements with your local planning department. Rules change frequently; always verify current requirements before designing, budgeting, or building. Last verified: 2026-09-20. Contractors we introduce are independent businesses - verify license and insurance directly before hiring. Spotted an error? Tell us - we verify against primary sources and correct quickly.

Stay Updated on ADU Law Changes

Get notified when ADU regulations change in your city. Free — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.