Torrance rewrote its ADU ordinance in August 2025 (Ordinance No. 3954, TMC Section 92.2.10) after a September 2024 HCD noncompliance letter, consolidating JADU rules and aligning with SB 1211 and AB 2533. ADUs are allowed in all residential and mixed-use zones with a 1,000 sq ft cap, 4-ft side/rear setbacks, and 18-ft one-story/23-ft two-story detached height limits citywide — but detached ADUs in the Hillside Overlay and Coastal Zone are limited to 16 ft. The city applies unusually detailed objective design standards (covered entries, matching materials, no new balconies or roof decks) and runs a Pre-Approved ADU Program through Building & Safety.
Zoning & Size Requirements [1]
Yes — Torrance allows ADUs. A detached ADU can typically be up to 1,000 sq ft under current California and Torrance zoning rules.
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| Allowed Zones | Any residentially zoned or mixed-use lot with a proposed or existing dwelling (single-family or multifamily) |
| Max Size (Detached) | 1,000 sq ft (800 sq ft under the state-exempt ministerial path); accessory-structure conversions exempt from the cap |
| Max Size (Attached) | 1,000 sq ft; must share at least 25% of linear wall with the primary dwelling |
| Max Size (JADU) | 500 sq ft within the primary dwelling or attached garage (+150 sq ft enclosed staircase allowance for 2nd-story JADUs) |
| Max Height | Detached: 18 ft one-story / 23 ft two-story citywide; 16 ft in Hillside Overlay and Coastal Zone; attached: 18 ft one-story / 25 ft two-story; interior height capped at 12 ft (one-story) / 22 ft (two-story) |
| Max Units | Single-family: 1 ADU + 1 JADU; existing multifamily: interior conversions up to 25% of units (min. 1) plus up to 8 detached ADUs (not exceeding existing unit count, 800 sq ft each); proposed multifamily: 2 detached. Coastal Zone parcels also need a Coastal Development Permit, waiver, or exemption from the California Coastal Commission |
Setback Requirements [1]
Torrance requires a rear setback of about 4 ft for a detached ADU, and one off-street parking space is required. Owner-occupancy is not required — you can rent it out without living on the property.
| Rear Setback | 4 ft (detached); same as primary dwelling for attached; none for conversions of existing structures |
| Side Setback | 4 ft; 6-ft wall-to-wall building separation required |
| Front Setback | 15 ft for detached ADUs; attached ADUs follow the underlying zone |
| Parking Required | 1 space per ADU (may be tandem on driveway, unenclosed); waived within 1/2 mile of transit, in historic districts, for conversions, and other Gov. Code 66314 exemptions; no replacement parking for demolished garages |
| Owner Occupancy | Not required for ADUs; required for JADUs with recorded covenant |
| Min Lot Size | No minimum lot size |
Permit Process & Fees [2][3]
An ADU permit in Torrance typically costs Fee assessed at building-permit application covering plan review, permit processing, and development impact mitigation — confirm amounts with Community Development, (310) 618-5990 and takes 60 days from complete application per state law (SB 543 deemed-approval applies from 2026), through a ministerial, by-right review.
| Approval Process | Ministerial building permit through the Community Development Department; no hearing or discretionary review; garage demolition permits issued concurrently with the ADU permit |
| Review Timeline | 60 days from complete application per state law (SB 543 deemed-approval applies from 2026) |
| Permit Fees | Fee assessed at building-permit application covering plan review, permit processing, and development impact mitigation — confirm amounts with Community Development, (310) 618-5990 |
| Impact Fees | Waived under 750 sq ft per state law; charged proportionately above — confirm with the Community Development Department |
| Plan Check | Plan review with a full corrections list returned within the 60-day statutory window; City of Torrance Design Guidelines apply (Torrance Tract Design Guidelines in the historic overlay) |
| Pre-Approved Plans | Yes — City of Torrance Pre-Approved ADU Program through the Building & Safety Division |
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Construction Costs [4][5]
Building an ADU in Torrance typically costs $200,000-$380,000 ($250-$400 per sq ft); a garage conversion runs $70,000-$160,000.
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| Average Build Cost | $200,000-$380,000 |
| Cost per Sq Ft | $250-$400 |
| Garage Conversion | $70,000-$160,000 |
| Prefab ADU (Installed) | $120,000-$280,000 |
Finance Your ADU Project
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Rental Income Potential [6]
A 2-bedroom ADU in Torrance rents for around $2,600-$3,100/mo, an estimated 5-8% annual return (gross rental yield estimate).
| Avg Rent (1 Bedroom) | $2,100-$2,400/mo |
| Avg Rent (2 Bedroom) | $2,600-$3,100/mo |
| Short-Term Rental | No — ADUs and JADUs may not be rented for less than 30 days |
| Est. Annual ROI | 5-8% annual return (gross rental yield estimate) |
Explore Prefab ADU Options
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Recent Law Changes
What's Changed Recently
- Ordinance No. 3954 adopted August 19, 2025: rewrote TMC 92.2.10, deleted the separate JADU section 92.2.11, and responded to HCD's Sept 5, 2024 noncompliance findings
- SB 1211 alignment: up to 8 detached ADUs now allowed on existing multifamily lots; no replacement parking for demolished uncovered spaces
- AB 2533 amnesty adopted for unpermitted ADUs/JADUs built before Jan 1, 2020
- New objective design standards added: covered entryways, enclosed stairways, matching materials, and a ban on new balconies and roof decks
Tips for Building an ADU in Torrance
- Check whether your lot is in the Hillside Overlay or Coastal Zone first — detached ADUs drop to a 16-ft height limit there, and coastal lots need a Coastal Commission permit
- Design entry doors carefully: entryways may not face the street unless set back 10+ ft, and cannot share an elevation with the main home's front door
- Torrance requires two exterior materials and two colors per facade — budget for design detailing beyond a plain stucco box
- Converting an existing garage or accessory structure avoids the 1,000 sq ft cap and most setback requirements
- Use the city's Pre-Approved ADU Program to cut plan-check time and pre-construction cost
ADU Builders in Torrance
Looking for an ADU builder in Torrance? ADU projects need a contractor experienced with local zoning, the permit process, and utility connections — not every general contractor has built one. We match Torrance 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.
- Ordinance No. 3954 — Second and Final Reading (Torrance City Council Agenda Item 8B, Aug 19, 2025) Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-07-10
- Ordinance No. 3954, TMC 92.2.10(C)(14) and (E) — fees and ministerial review Municipal Code — Accessed 2026-07-10
- Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Units — City of Torrance city_website — Accessed 2026-07-10
- How much does a garage conversion ADU cost in Torrance? — GatherADU Forum news_media — Accessed 2026-07-10
- ADU Cost Guide Los Angeles 2026 — GreatBuildz news_media — Accessed 2026-07-10
- Average Rent in Torrance, CA and Rent Price Trends — Zumper news_media — Accessed 2026-07-10
Frequently Asked Questions
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