Garage conversion rules in Topanga, CA — sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions — govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Garage conversions to ADUs in unincorporated Topanga are governed by LA County Code Title 22 §22.140.640 and California Government Code §65852.2. No replacement parking is required when a garage is converted to an ADU, and existing setbacks are preserved. A Coastal Development Permit applies in the Santa Monica Mountains Local Coastal Program area.
Under LA County Code §22.140.640 and state ADU law, no replacement parking is required when an existing garage is converted to an ADU or JADU. The existing garage footprint and setbacks (often less than the 4-foot new-construction minimum) are grandfathered for the conversion; any added square footage must meet 4-foot side and rear setbacks. A JADU is capped at 500 sq ft and must be within the walls of the primary single-family dwelling, with owner-occupancy of either unit recorded by deed restriction. On multifamily lots, conversion ADUs may be created within non-livable spaces (storage, attics, basements, passageways, garages) up to 25% of the existing unit count. Because Topanga is in the Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Zone, a Coastal Development Permit applies in addition to the LA County building permit. Conversions must meet the California Residential Code for habitable space (ceiling height, egress, light and ventilation, smoke and CO alarms, fire separation).
Converting a Topanga garage to habitable space without a building permit and CDP (where required) is a violation of LA County Code Title 22 and the Coastal Act, subject to stop-work orders, daily fines, and removal orders from LA County Code Enforcement and the Coastal Commission.
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