ADU rules in Gardena, CA — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Gardena regulates accessory dwelling units under Gardena Municipal Code Chapter 18.13, implementing California Government Code Sections 66310 through 66342. ADUs are allowed on any residentially or mixed-use zoned lot with an existing or proposed single-family or multifamily dwelling, and applications are decided ministerially.
Per GMC 18.13, a complete ADU or JADU application must be ministerially approved or denied within 60 days, or 30 days for a city-preapproved plan; no hearing applies. One ADU is allowed per residential lot, plus a junior ADU within a single-family dwelling. ADUs are capped at 850 square feet for a studio or one bedroom and 1,000 for more bedrooms, but the city must permit at least an 800-square-foot unit with 16-foot height and 4-foot setbacks. Detached ADU height is generally 16 feet, up to 18 near transit, and up to 25 when attached or above a garage. Standard ADUs need no owner-occupancy and may not be rented under 31 days.
Building or renting an unpermitted ADU, or exceeding size, height, or setback standards, can trigger code enforcement, correction orders, and denial of occupancy.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle adu rules.
See how Gardena's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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