(B)
Applicability. Except as authorized by Federal or State law regulations, accessory dwelling units are allowed only in zones where single-family or multifamily residential units are allowed. Junior accessory dwelling units are allowed only in single-family dwellings.
(C)
General Plan Consistency. In adopting these standards, the City recognizes that the approval of accessory dwelling units or junior accessory dwelling units may, in some instances, result in densities exceeding the maximum densities prescribed by the General Plan. The City finds that this occurrence is consistent with the General Plan, as allowed under State planning and zoning law applicable to accessory dwelling units, and that this Title furthers the goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan.
(D)
Maximum Number of Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units per Lot.
(1)
Single-Family Residences. For lots with a proposed or existing single-family residence, no more than one accessory dwelling unit and no more than one junior accessory dwelling unit may be on the lot, as follows:
(a)
One accessory dwelling unit and one junior accessory dwelling unit per lot may be constructed within an existing or proposed single-family or accessory structure, including the construction of up to a 150-square-foot expansion beyond the same physical dimensions as the existing accessory structure to accommodate ingress and egress; or
(b)
One detached, new construction, accessory dwelling unit and one junior accessory dwelling unit built within the existing or proposed single-family dwelling.
(2)
Multifamily Residences. For lots with a proposed or existing multifamily residential dwelling, no junior accessory dwelling units are allowed. However, if there is an existing multifamily residential structure, the following are allowed:
(a)
Nonhabitable portions of the existing main structure (e.g., storage rooms, boiler rooms, hallways, attics, basements, or garages) may be converted to an accessory dwelling unit(s); provided, that the maximum number of such accessory dwelling units shall not exceed 25 percent of the number of the existing residential units on the lot; provided, that applicable building standards are met; and
(b)
No more than eight ADUs that are detached from the multifamily dwelling, however the number of accessory dwelling units allowed shall not exceed the number of existing units on the lot; provided, that no such unit shall exceed the height limits as established in Subsection (F)(9) of this Section, and each such unit complies with the setbacks specified within Subsection (F)(4) of this Section. The maximum square footage of detached accessory dwelling units on lots with existing multifamily residential dwellings shall be 800 square feet each.
(E)
General ADU and JADU Requirements.
(1)
Ministerial Approval. Any application for an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit which meets the standards of this Section shall be approved pursuant to PMC § 17.26.030 (Zoning clearance review) and Government Code Section 65852.2(a)(3).
(2)
Conveyance. Except as authorized by Government Code Section 65852.26, accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units may not be sold or otherwise conveyed separate from the primary residence.
(3)
Rental Restrictions. Rental periods for accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units shall not be less than 31 days.
(4)
Recorded Covenants. Before obtaining a permit for an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit, the property owner shall file with the County Recorder a declaration or agreement of restrictions, which has been approved by the City Attorney as to its form and content. The covenants for the accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit shall describe restrictions that allow for the continued use of the accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit as follows:
(a)
The accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit shall not be sold separately from the primary residence unless otherwise exempted by the provisions of Government Code Section 65852.2(a)(1)(D);
(b)
The accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit shall not be rented for periods of less than 31 days;
(c)
The restrictions shall be binding upon any successor in ownership of the property, and lack of compliance shall result in legal action against the property owner for noncompliance with the standards for an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit;
(5)
Building Standards. All accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units must comply with PMC Chapter 8.04 (Adoption of Health, Safety and Technical Construction Codes) and any other applicable provisions of the California Building Standards Code and the California Fire Code.
(6)
City/Public Utilities.
(a)
Utilities Required. All accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units must be properly connected to public utilities, including water, electric, and sewer (or septic) services. Junior accessory dwelling units with separate bathroom facilities and accessory dwelling units may not be attached to a septic system unless approved by the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department.
(b)
Impact Fees. No impact fees shall be imposed on a junior accessory dwelling unit or an accessory dwelling unit less than 750 square feet in size.
(c)
Separate Connections. If an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit is constructed with a new single-family home, a separate utility connection directly between the accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit and the utility and payment of the normal connection fee and capacity charge for a new dwelling shall be required. If, however, the accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit is constructed within an existing single-family structure, then the City cannot require a separate utility connection.
(7)
Easements. No accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit may be constructed in a location that would violate any easement unless approved in writing by the holder of the easement.
(8)
Accessibility Standards. New construction of any ground level accessory dwelling unit and/or junior accessory dwelling unit is encouraged to be designed and constructed to allow for disability/accessibility standards by providing plans which demonstrate adequate door and hallway widths, maneuvering space in kitchens and bathrooms, and structural reinforcements for grab bars.
(9)
Nonconforming. Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units shall not be required to correct legal nonconforming zoning conditions as a precondition to obtaining authorization to construct.
(10)
Fire Sprinkler Requirements. Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units shall not be required to include fire sprinklers if they are not required for the primary residence.
(11)
Zone Conformity. Except as otherwise provided in this Section accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units shall conform to all other development standards of the underlying zone.
(F)
Accessory Dwelling Units – Specific Standards.
(1)
Legal Lot/Residence. An accessory dwelling unit shall only be allowed on a lot within the City that contains or has approved plans to be developed with a legal, or legal nonconforming, single-family or multifamily residence.
(2)
The local agency shall not deny an application for a permit to create an accessory dwelling unit due to the correction of nonconforming zoning conditions, building code violations, or unpermitted structures that do not present a threat to public health and safety and are not affected by the construction of the accessory dwelling unit.
(3)
Floor Area. Accessory dwelling units shall comply with the following:
(a)
Attached Accessory Dwelling Units. The maximum floor area of an attached accessory dwelling unit shall be the higher of:
(i)
Eight hundred fifty square feet for an accessory dwelling unit with zero to one bedroom or 1,000 square feet for an accessory dwelling unit with two or more bedrooms; or
(ii)
If there is an existing primary single-family dwelling, 50 percent of the square footage of the existing primary single-family dwelling.
(b)
Detached Accessory Dwelling Units. The maximum floor area of a detached accessory dwelling unit shall be 1,200 square feet.
(c)
An addition of up to 150 square feet to accommodate ingress and egress for an accessory dwelling unit created from the conversion of an existing accessory structure shall be exempt from the maximum floor area standard.
(4)
Setbacks.
(a)
No setbacks are required for either:
(b)
All other accessory dwelling units must be set back a minimum of four feet from interior side, street side, and rear lot lines and, where feasible and does not preclude the creation of an 800-square-foot accessory dwelling unit, must comply with all applicable front setbacks pursuant to the standards of the underlying zone.
(c)
Where feasible and does not preclude the creation of an 800-square-foot accessory dwelling unit, the minimum required distance between a detached accessory dwelling unit and the primary dwelling unit, and all other structures, including garages, on the property, shall be 10 feet.
(5)
Location. Where feasible and does not preclude the creation of an 800-square-foot accessory dwelling unit, newly constructed accessory dwelling units shall be located in line with or behind the front-most building wall of the primary dwelling unit.
(6)
Parking.
(a)
In addition to the required parking for the primary unit, one parking space shall be provided unless the accessory dwelling unit has no bedrooms (e.g., a studio), in which case no parking space is required, or unless the proposed accessory dwelling unit qualifies for a parking exemption under Subsection (F)(6)(b) of this Section. The required parking space may be provided as:
(i)
Tandem parking on an existing driveway in a manner that does not encroach onto a public sidewalk and otherwise complies with parking standards specified within this Title; or
(ii)
Within a setback area or as tandem parking in locations determined feasible by the City for such use. Locations will be determined infeasible based upon specific site or regional topographical or fire and life safety conditions.
(b)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no parking space shall be required for an accessory dwelling unit if:
(i)
It is located within one-half mile walking distance of public transit;
(ii)
It is located within an architecturally and historically significant district;
(iii)
It is part of a proposed or existing primary residence or accessory structure;
(iv)
When on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupant of the accessory dwelling unit; or
(v)
Where there is a car share vehicle located within one block of the accessory dwelling unit.
(vi)
The application for an accessory dwelling unit is submitted with a permit application to create a new single-family dwelling or a new multifamily dwelling on the same lot; provided, that the accessory dwelling unit or the parcel satisfies any other criteria listed in this Subsection.
(c)
When a garage, carport, uncovered parking space, or covered parking structure is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit or converted to an accessory dwelling unit, the demolished or converted off-street parking spaces do not have to be replaced, and parking would be eliminated.
(7)
Design and Materials. Accessory dwelling units shall comply with all standards of PMC § 17.37.010 (Detached single-family residential standards), where applicable and not in conflict of the standards of this Section, except that PMC § 17.37.010(G) and (H) shall not apply, and PMC § 17.37.010(C)(3)(b) (regarding garages) shall not apply unless a new or revised garage is being proposed for the single-family dwelling. Junior accessory dwelling units shall only be allowed in a primary dwelling that meets all applicable standards.
(8)
Second Story. For accessory dwelling units on a lot with a single-family residence, all or part of an accessory dwelling unit may be on the second floor only if the accessory dwelling unit does not have any open and not fully enclosed stairways, and one of the following applies:
(a)
The accessory dwelling unit was converted entirely from existing space within the single-family dwelling;
(b)
The accessory dwelling unit is attached to the primary dwelling and the primary dwelling (inclusive of the accessory dwelling unit) will comply with all standards applicable to the primary dwelling (except parking in scenarios pursuant to Subsection (F)(6)(c) of this Section; or
(c)
All or part of the accessory dwelling unit is above a code-compliant two car garage.
(9)
Height Limits. Accessory dwelling units are subject to the following height standards:
(a)
A height of 16 feet for a detached accessory dwelling unit on a lot with an existing or proposed single-family or multifamily dwelling unit;
(b)
A height of 18 feet for a detached accessory dwelling unit on a lot with an existing or proposed single-family or multifamily dwelling unit that is within one half of one mile walking distance of a major transit stop or a high-quality transit corridor, as those terms are defined in Section 21155 of the Public Resources Code. A local agency shall also allow an additional two feet in height to accommodate a roof pitch on the accessory dwelling unit that is aligned with the roof pitch of the primary dwelling unit;
(c)
A height of 18 feet for a detached accessory dwelling unit on a lot with an existing or proposed multifamily, multistory dwelling; or
(d)
A height of 25 feet or the height limitation in the local Zoning Ordinance that applies to the primary dwelling, whichever is lower, for an accessory dwelling unit that is attached to a primary dwelling. This clause shall not require a local agency to allow an accessory dwelling unit to exceed two stories.
(10)
Conversion of Existing Primary Unit. An existing single-family dwelling may be converted to an accessory dwelling unit when all standards of this Section are met and a new, larger single-family dwelling will be constructed pursuant to all standards of this Title.
(12)
Other Standards. Lot coverage, open space, and floor area ratio limitations, where applicable, shall not preclude the development of an accessory dwelling unit of up to 800 square feet with a minimum of four-foot side and rear setbacks.
(G)
Junior Accessory Dwelling Units – Specific Standards.
(1)
Owner Occupancy. The owner must reside either in the junior accessory dwelling unit or in the single-family residence. Owner-occupancy is not required if the owner is a governmental agency, land trust, or "housing organization" as that term is defined in Government Code Section 65589.5(k)(2), as that section may be amended from time to time.
(2)
Kitchen. The junior accessory dwelling unit shall include an efficiency kitchen, including a food preparation counter and storage cabinets that are of reasonable size in relation to the size of the junior accessory dwelling unit.
(3)
Parking. The accessory dwelling unit shall not be required to have a parking space.
(4)
Exterior Access. The junior accessory dwelling unit shall have exterior access and side and rear setbacks sufficient for fire safety.
(Ord. 1603 § 4 (Exh. I), 2023; Ord. 1658, 7/15/2025)