Glendale allows ADUs and JADUs on residential lots under Glendale Municipal Code 30.34.080: a JADU up to 500 sq ft inside the house, and an ADU up to 1,000 sq ft (850 sq ft with one bedroom; larger units need two), with 4-ft interior setbacks and a 16-ft height cap for detached units (18 ft near major transit; attached ADUs 25 ft). An ADU of 800 sq ft or less is the state-protected size and is exempt from the zone's floor-area and lot-coverage limits. The ordinance (last amended by Ordinance 6035, Dec. 3, 2024) is under a state Housing and Community Development (HCD) enforcement agreement: under an Oct. 3, 2025 MOU the city must allow ADUs above detached garages, detached ADUs on lots with a guest house or other accessory living quarters, and the full state unit mix until a corrective ordinance takes effect. That amendment (case PZC-0015-2025) went to the Planning Commission on Feb. 4, 2026; as of Sept. 20, 2026 the city still posts the MOU statement, so confirm the ordinance's status with Planning at (818) 548-2140 before designing around the old restrictions.
Zoning & Size Requirements [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Yes — Glendale allows ADUs. A detached ADU can typically be up to 1,000 sq ft under current California and Glendale zoning rules.
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| Allowed Zones | Residential and mixed-use zones on lots with an existing or proposed single-family or multifamily dwelling (GMC 30.34.080; Gov. Code 66314). Single-family lots may add a JADU inside the house plus an ADU built as a conversion of a garage or guest house, an attached or detached addition, or a conversion of space in the main house; multifamily lots may add conversion ADUs and detached new-construction ADUs (city ADU page, updated Nov. 7, 2025). |
| Max Size (Detached) | 1,000 sq ft maximum: 850 sq ft with one bedroom, and any ADU over 850 sq ft must have a second bedroom. An ADU of 800 sq ft or less is the state-protected size (4-ft side and rear setbacks, no floor-area-ratio or lot-coverage test); over 800 sq ft the zone's FAR, lot coverage and landscaping standards apply (GMC 30.34.080; city ADU page, Nov. 7, 2025). |
| Max Size (Attached) | Same 1,000 sq ft cap; an attached ADU over 800 sq ft may not exceed 50% of the primary dwelling's floor area, and units over 850 sq ft need a second bedroom (city ADU page, Nov. 7, 2025). The city applies the same cap to conversions of existing permitted space; state law (Gov. Code 66323(a)(1)) protects conversion ADUs within existing space, so ask Planning how the cap is applied to a conversion. |
| Max Size (JADU) | 500 sq ft, built only within legally permitted space in the main house, with an efficiency kitchen, independent entrance and its own bathroom or one shared with the house; the owner records a covenant restricting sale and use of the property (GMC 30.34.080(I)). |
| Max Height | Detached ADU: 16 ft; 18 ft within 1/2 mile of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor, or on a multifamily lot with existing multi-story buildings, plus 2 ft to match the primary dwelling's roof pitch. Attached ADU: 25 ft. Never more than 2 stories; rooftop decks are prohibited and parapets are limited to 18 in. and count toward height (city ADU page, Nov. 7, 2025). The local ban on ADUs above detached garages is suspended under the Oct. 2025 HCD MOU. |
| Max Units | Single-family lot: 1 JADU (500 sq ft) plus 1 ADU per the city's page; under the HCD MOU the city must also allow the state unit mix of a conversion ADU + JADU plus a detached ADU (Gov. Code 66323(a)(1)-(2)). Multifamily lot: conversion ADUs in non-livable space (at least 1, up to 25% of existing units) and detached ADUs (at least 2; up to the number of existing units, max 8), which the MOU says may be combined. |
Setback Requirements [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Glendale requires a rear setback of about 4 ft for a detached ADU, and parking requirements vary by unit size or location. Owner-occupancy is not required — you can rent it out without living on the property.
| Rear Setback | 4 ft from interior (side and rear) property lines for an ADU of 800 sq ft or less; no setback for a conversion of an existing permitted structure or a rebuild in the same footprint (GMC 30.34.080; Gov. Code 66323(a)(2)). Larger ADUs follow the zone's setbacks, but state law caps what the city may require at 4 ft for side and rear (Gov. Code 66321). |
| Side Setback | 4 ft maximum for new construction (state-set ceiling); none for conversions of existing structures. On multifamily lots a detached ADU must also keep 5 ft, eave to eave, from existing buildings on the lot (city ADU page, Nov. 7, 2025). |
| Front Setback | The underlying zone's front and street-side setbacks apply, but state law bars a front setback from blocking an 800 sq ft ADU that meets the 4-ft side and rear setbacks (HCD's Dec. 7, 2023 findings on former 30.34.080(D)(10)); confirm the current text with Planning, (818) 548-2140. |
| Parking Required | 1 space per ADU unless exempt under GMC 30.34.080(H)(4), which tracks Gov. Code 66322: within 1/2 mile walking distance of public transit, conversions of existing space, historic districts, car-share within a block, or where on-street permits are not offered to the ADU occupant. No replacement parking is required when a garage or carport is converted or demolished for an ADU. |
| Owner Occupancy | None for ADUs (state law, Gov. Code 66315). JADUs: the state owner-occupancy rule no longer applies to a JADU with its own bathroom (AB 1154, eff. Jan. 1, 2026); Glendale still records a JADU covenant under 30.34.080(I), so ask Planning which terms remain. |
| Min Lot Size | None. State law bars a minimum lot size for ADUs (Gov. Code 66314) and Glendale's ADU page sets none. |
Permit Process & Fees [8][9]
An ADU permit in Glendale goes through a ministerial, by-right review. Typical timeline: State law requires a decision within 60 days of a complete application and, since Jan. 1, 2026 (SB 543), the application is deemed approved if the city misses that deadline; Glendale does not publish its own review times. Permit fees: Glendale publishes no flat ADU permit fee: plan check and building permit fees are valuation-based, so request an estimate from the Building Division, (818) 548-3200. The city's development impact fee is about $5,000 and is waived for ADUs of 750 sq ft or less.
| Approval Process | Ministerial building permit through Community Development's Permit Services Center: check zoning with Planning first ((818) 548-2140), clear Glendale Water & Power easements, then apply online in the city's permit portal ('Building Combination (Single Family) - Accessory Dwelling Unit'). An ADU covenant and agreement is filed through the city's online application; JADUs record a covenant under 30.34.080(I). |
| Review Timeline | State law requires a decision within 60 days of a complete application and, since Jan. 1, 2026 (SB 543), the application is deemed approved if the city misses that deadline; Glendale does not publish its own review times. |
| Permit Fees | Glendale publishes no flat ADU permit fee: plan check and building permit fees are valuation-based, so request an estimate from the Building Division, (818) 548-3200. The city's development impact fee is about $5,000 and is waived for ADUs of 750 sq ft or less. |
| Impact Fees | ADUs of 750 sq ft or less are exempt from development impact fees (Gov. Code 66311.5); Glendale charges about $5,000 for larger ADUs (city ADU page), which state law limits to a share proportional to the primary dwelling's fee. |
| Plan Check | Valuation-based plan check by the Building Division; submittal needs a site plan, floor plan, elevations, roof plan, sections and a photo survey of the site (city ADU page). A pre-approved Standard Plan gets expedited review. |
| Pre-Approved Plans | Yes - the Standard Accessory Dwelling Unit Plan Program (Pre-Approved ADU Program) lists 1 approved plan (1-story, 740 sq ft, 1 bed/1 bath), designed and sold by a private firm; Standard Plans 2 and 3 are listed as 'coming soon'. Program contact (818) 937-8139. |
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Construction Costs [10][11]
Building an ADU in Glendale typically costs $175,000-$375,000 ($275-$475 per sq ft); a garage conversion runs $75,000-$200,000.
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| Average Build Cost | $175,000-$375,000 |
| Cost per Sq Ft | $275-$475 |
| Garage Conversion | $75,000-$200,000 |
| Prefab ADU (Installed) | $180,000-$300,000 |
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Rental Income Potential [12][13]
A 2-bedroom ADU in Glendale rents for around $2,800-$3,400/mo, an estimated 5-8% annual return.
| Avg Rent (1 Bedroom) | $2,000-$2,700/mo |
| Avg Rent (2 Bedroom) | $2,800-$3,400/mo |
| Short-Term Rental | Not for stays under 30 days: state law (Gov. |
| Est. Annual ROI | 5-8% annual return |
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Recent Law Changes
What's Changed Recently
- Re-verified Sept. 20, 2026: sizes, heights, setbacks, parking, unit counts and the pre-approved plan program re-read from the city's ADU page (updated Nov. 7, 2025) and HCD's letters; the code citation now points to the current host (ecode360.com/43353972, code current through Ordinance 6050 of March 31, 2026); unverified builder permit-fee totals removed from the fee line.
- Corrective ADU/JADU ordinance in progress: Zoning Code Amendment PZC-0015-2025 went to the Planning Commission on Feb. 4, 2026 for a recommendation to the City Council; the MOU required Council introduction by March 31, 2026 and adoption at the next regular meeting. As of Sept. 20, 2026 the city's ADU page still posts the MOU statement - confirm whether the amended ordinance has taken effect.
- HCD MOU (Oct. 3, 2025): until an amended ordinance takes effect (or the Council vote fails), Glendale must allow ADUs above detached garages, detached ADUs on lots with accessory living quarters, and the full state unit mix on single-family and multifamily lots; an amended ordinance takes effect 30 days after adoption under the City Charter.
- HCD follow-up Notice of Violation (Aug. 15, 2025): Ordinance 6035 (adopted Dec. 3, 2024, with Resolution 24-189) fixed most of HCD's Dec. 7, 2023 findings on Ordinance 5997 but kept three provisions HCD calls void under Gov. Code 66316, so state standards apply where the ordinance conflicts.
- SB 543 (eff. Jan. 1, 2026): ADU applications are deemed approved if the city does not act within 60 days.
- AB 1154 (eff. Jan. 1, 2026): JADU owner-occupancy no longer required where the JADU has its own bathroom.
Tips for Building an ADU in Glendale
- If a plan checker rejects an ADU above your detached garage, or a detached ADU because your lot has a pool house or guest house, cite the Oct. 3, 2025 HCD MOU (the statement is posted on the city's ADU page): the city agreed not to enforce those rules until an amended ordinance takes effect.
- Stay at 800 sq ft or less to lock in the state-protected path - 4-ft side and rear setbacks and no FAR, lot-coverage or landscaping test; 801-1,000 sq ft triggers the zone's standards, and over 850 sq ft you must add a second bedroom.
- Detached units are capped at 16 ft (18 ft near transit) with rooftop decks banned, so a two-story detached ADU is a non-starter; an attached ADU can go to 25 ft.
- Book a Planning counter consultation and check Glendale Water & Power easements before drawing plans - the city says both come before submittal and flags GWP easement conflicts as the thing that can sink a garage-conversion site plan.
- Cost basis: build ranges are from a Los Angeles-area design-build firm's Glendale guide (updated March-April 2026) - $175K-$375K for a detached unit, $275-$475 per sq ft, $75K-$200K for a garage conversion; the same source quotes permit, plan-check, school and utility charges at roughly $6K-$18K plus $2K-$5K for new GWP services, but get the city's own estimate.
- Cost basis (2026-09-20 re-verification): short term allowed: Not for stays under 30 days: state law (Gov. Code 66315) lets cities require ADU rentals of 30 days or longer and Glendale applies it through the ADU covenant - confirm the current covenant terms with Planning, (818) 548-2140
ADU Builders in Glendale
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Sources & References
All data on this page is sourced from official government records and verified market data. View our full methodology.
- Accessory Dwelling Units - City of Glendale Community Development (updated Nov. 7, 2025) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Glendale Municipal Code 30.34.080 - Accessory Dwelling Units (eCode360, current through Ord. 6050, March 31, 2026) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Statement on Memorandum of Understanding between HCD and the City of Glendale (Oct. 3, 2025) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- HCD Follow-up Notice of Violation - City of Glendale ADU Ordinance (Aug. 15, 2025) State Law — Accessed 2026-09-20
- HCD Review of Glendale's ADU Ordinance No. 5997 - Findings (Dec. 7, 2023) State Law — Accessed 2026-09-20
- City of Glendale MOU with HCD (Oct. 3, 2025) State Law — Accessed 2026-06-10
- Notice of Planning Commission Public Hearing - ADU and JADU Zoning Code Amendment PZC-0015-2025 (Feb. 4, 2026) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Accessory Dwelling Units - City of Glendale (permit steps, Standard ADU Plan Program, fees contact) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- Statement on Memorandum of Understanding between HCD and the City of Glendale (Oct. 3, 2025) Planning Department — Accessed 2026-09-20
- ADU Construction in Glendale: Permits & Costs (2026) - NP Line Design (updated March-April 2026) industry — Accessed 2026-09-19
- ADU Cost Guide Los Angeles 2026 - GreatBuildz industry — Accessed 2026-06-10
- Rental Market Trends & Average Rent in Glendale, CA - Rent.com Market Data — Accessed 2026-06-10
- What's The Average Rent In Glendale, CA - Steadily (2026) Market Data — Accessed 2026-06-10
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