Inglewood, CA Accessory Structures: Garage Conversions (2026)
Garage conversion rules in Inglewood, CA, sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions, govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- IMC § 12-40.1, Article 19
- Violation class
- Infraction under § 1-18.1(a)
- First-offense fine
- Up to $100 (§ 1-18)
- Repeat fines
- $200 second offense, $500 thereafter
- Only exception
- ADU conversion under Article 35
- Companion rule
- § 12-40 requires parking maintained at all times
Summary
Inglewood bans converting a garage or required parking space into a bedroom, office, storage room, or any other habitable use. IMC § 12-40.1 requires every garage and required parking space to stay available for vehicles at all times and bars renting the space out for anything else. The only exception is converting a garage into a permitted accessory dwelling unit.
It is unlawful for any person to convert any required parking space or garage, or portion thereof, to any other use (including, but not limited to, sleeping purposes or comparable habitable use) or otherwise prevent the use of the garage for parking vehicles. All required parking spaces and garages shall be maintained for the facility or property use for which it was provided and shall not be rented or otherwise utilized for any other use. Exception: the conversion of a garage into an accessory dwelling unit is allowed subject to the requirements of Article 35 of this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4954608; v8 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
' The section also bars renting or otherwise using required parking and garages for anything besides vehicle storage. It works alongside § 12-40, which independently makes it unlawful to establish, erect, enlarge, or structurally alter any building unless the off-street parking required by the Chapter is provided and maintained on the property, and bars restricting access to required parking except to keep out unauthorized vehicles. The prohibition applies citywide wherever Chapter 12 requires off-street parking, which covers essentially every residential lot in Inglewood's R and P zones; garage conversions used as extra bedrooms or event-day rentals near SoFi Stadium, the Kia Forum, or the Intuit Dome are squarely covered, not exempt.
1 by Ord. 24-02 on December 12, 2023. Absent that ADU permit route, restoring the garage to parking use is the only way to cure a violation; the Planning and Building Department enforces the section through code-enforcement inspection and correction notices tied to the required-parking standard in § 12-40.
Violations & Fines
Both § 12-40 and § 12-40.1 are listed in § 1-18.1(a) as code sections the City has specifically declared infractions rather than misdemeanors. Under § 1-18, a first violation is punishable by a fine up to $100, a second violation of the same section within one year up to $200, and each additional violation within that year up to $500. The City can also require the converted space be restored to parking use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert my garage into a bedroom in Inglewood?
Is there any exception for converting a garage?
What happens if I convert my garage without permits in Inglewood?
Can I rent out my garage as separate living space?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Inglewood
California rules heatmap·Compare Inglewood to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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Garage Conversions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle garage conversions.