Glendale, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Impact Fees (2026)

Under California Government Code §65852.2(f)(3) — added by AB 881 / SB 13 in 2019 — ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from local development impact fees, including water and sewer capacity fees, public facilities fees, parks fees, and transportation impact fees. Glendale implements this exemption through its Community Development fee schedule. ADUs 750 sq ft or larger pay Glendale's Parks and Libraries development impact fee (approximately $4,700 per ADU at current rates published by the city) and other fees calculated proportionally to the principal dwelling's gross floor area, not the full single-family rate. School fees collected by the Glendale Unified School District follow the proportional formula under Gov. Code §65852.2(f)(2). Because Glendale Water & Power is the municipal electric and water utility, ADUs that share existing service to the main dwelling can frequently avoid new meter fees — separate metering is generally optional under state law and GMC §30.34.080. Building permit and plan-check fees are not waived; they are based on construction valuation under the California Building Standards Code adopted in GMC Title 15. Affordable housing linkage fees do not apply to ADUs under state preemption.