Inglewood, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

22. A conforming ADU is permitted by right and is not required to correct a legal nonconforming zoning condition as a condition of approval. New detached ADUs need Site Plan Review; converting an existing detached structure, or non-livable multifamily floor area, with no added square footage is exempt, as is an ADU or JADU that expands an existing detached structure, and any deed-restricted affordable ADU. The Economic and Community Development Director must act on a complete application within 60 days, tolled if the applicant requests a delay, and a JADU application can be held until the city acts on a companion new-single-family-dwelling permit without losing its ministerial, no-hearing status.

Every ADU must be at least 500 square feet; a detached ADU cannot exceed 1,000 square feet or 100 percent of the primary unit's size, whichever is less, dropping to 850 square feet if the primary dwelling is under 850 square feet; an attached ADU is capped at 850 square feet or 50 percent of the primary unit, whichever is less. Front setback runs 25 percent of lot depth, capped at 25 feet; side setback is 10 percent of lot width, no less than 3 feet and no more than 5 feet; rear setback cannot be less than 4 feet.

A detached ADU cannot exceed one story or 16 feet to the roof pitch, while an attached ADU is limited to the primary dwelling's allowed height. No more than one JADU and one ADU are permitted on a single-family lot; on a multifamily lot, internal or attached ADUs are limited to 25 percent of existing units, rounded up at the half-unit mark, with at least one ADU permitted and no more than two detached ADUs allowed. Neither an ADU nor a JADU may be sold separately from the lot, and a recorded covenant filed with the Planning Division must bind that restriction to all future owners.

Impact fees are waived for ADUs under 750 square feet, and neither unit type can be advertised or rented as a short-term rental; rental terms must run 30 days or longer.