ADU rules in Montebello, CA — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Montebello permits one ADU by right on residential lots, reviewed ministerially. The city's codified ADU section (MMC 17.10.280) predates recent state law, so California ADU Law (Gov. Code 66310-66342) now controls where the two conflict, including no owner-occupancy mandate.
MMC 17.10.280 allows one accessory (formerly 'second') dwelling unit by right in the R-A, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 zones without a conditional use permit if standards are met. The codified text still cites repealed Gov. Code 65852.1/65852.2, caps detached units at 1,200 sq ft, and requires a 10-foot separation from the primary dwelling. In October 2025 the state HCD sent Montebello a technical-assistance letter warning the 2019 ordinance is likely outdated and non-compliant; under Gov. Code 66316 a non-compliant local ADU ordinance is void and state standards apply until the city adopts a compliant one. State law makes ADU permits ministerial, bars owner-occupancy conditions, and allows a JADU plus an ADU. Confirm current standards with Planning.
Building an ADU without a ministerial permit, or violating state size, setback, or parking limits, can trigger code enforcement, stop-work orders, and required corrections.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
montebello-ca
Under Municipal Code Chapter 8.13 (Ordinance No. 2445, adopted December 2021 for SB 1383), Montebello residents and businesses must separate organic waste - ...
montebello-ca
Montebello has no dedicated artificial-turf ordinance in its published code, so synthetic turf is reviewed under general Title 17 zoning landscape standards....
montebello-ca
Montebello encourages drought-tolerant and low-water landscaping. The property-maintenance ordinance expressly allows drought-tolerant ground cover and city-...
montebello-ca
Montebello has no ordinance prohibiting residential rainwater harvesting, and California law expressly allows rooftop capture without a water-rights permit. ...
montebello-ca
Montebello's water is supplied by private retailers - chiefly San Gabriel Valley Water Company, plus California Water Service and others - not a single City ...
montebello-ca
Montebello treats weeds and overgrown vegetation as a public nuisance under Municipal Code Chapter 8.16. Owners must remove weeds, dead or diseased plants, a...
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 Montebello's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.