Glendale's Accessory Structures: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles accessory structures a little differently. In Glendale, California, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Shed & Carport Rules

A backyard shed, workshop or other accessory building in Glendale's residential zones is capped at 500 square feet of floor area under Table 30.11-A in § 30.11.020, and at 12 feet of height, or 15 feet with a pitched roof, under Table 30.11-B in § 30.11.030. A separate 15-foot cap applies to non-building accessory structures.

Key details: Max accessory building area: 500 sq. ft. floor area. Max accessory living quarters: 500 sq. ft. aggregate. Standard height cap: 12 ft (15 ft with pitched roof). Accessory structure height cap: 15 ft. Hillside downslope wall limit: 10 ft (ROS/R1R, 5:1+ slope).

An accessory building erected over the 500-square-foot area limit, or above the 12-foot (15-foot with pitched roof) height cap, is not listed among the reduced-penalty infractions in § 1.20.010(D), so it is enforced as a misdemeanor under § 1.20.010(A): up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in county jail, or both, with each day the oversized structure remains counted as a separate violation. Community Development can require the structure be modified or removed to bring it back within Table 30.11-A and Table 30.11-B limits before signing off on any related permit.

ADU Rental Restrictions

Glendale bars short-term rentals of accessory dwelling units built under its ADU ordinance: any lease must run longer than thirty days. Municipal Code Sec. 30.34.080(D)(11) locks ADUs and junior ADUs into long-term housing stock, closing off the vacation-rental route that home-sharing rules already forbid on ADU properties.

Key details: Minimum rental term: More than 30 days. Governing section: Municipal Code Sec. 30.34.080(D)(11). Applies to: ADUs and junior ADUs citywide. Related ban: Home-sharing barred on ADU properties (Ch. 5.56). Enforcement: Community Development Dept. code enforcement.

Renting an ADU or junior ADU for stays of thirty days or less violates Sec. 30.34.080(D)(11) and overlaps with Chapter 5.56's citywide ban on vacation rentals at ADU properties. The Community Development Department can pursue code enforcement citations, and repeat short-term listings risk referral for further administrative penalties tied to the home-sharing chapter.

ADU Impact Fees

Glendale exempts small ADUs from development impact fees entirely and prorates the fee for larger ones. Municipal Code Sec. 30.34.080(D)(16) waives the parks and libraries fee for any ADU under 750 square feet and scales it by size for units at or above that threshold, overriding Chapter 4.10's standard fee schedule.

Key details: Fee exemption threshold: Under 750 sq. ft.: no impact fee. Larger ADUs: 750+ sq. ft.: prorated parks/library fee. Governing section: Municipal Code Sec. 30.34.080(D)(16). Overrides: Chapter 4.10 standard impact fee schedule. Utility fees: Proportionate to burden, per Gov. Code Sec. 66013.

Charging a flat, non-prorated development impact fee against a qualifying ADU, or assessing the parks and library fee on an ADU under 750 square feet, conflicts with Sec. 30.34.080(D)(16) and is grounds to appeal the fee determination to the Community Development Department before permit issuance. Excess utility connection charges beyond the proportionate, cost-based standard likewise fall outside what the section authorizes.

ADU Rules

Glendale must approve accessory dwelling units on any lot zoned for single or multi-family housing as a ministerial building permit under Municipal Code § 30.34.080, with no discretionary hearing. New detached units are capped at 850 square feet, or 1,000 square feet with a second bedroom, and interior setbacks shrink to as little as four feet once the standard yard requirements would otherwise block construction.

Key details: Max size, one bedroom: 850 sq. ft. (new construction). Max size, 2+ bedrooms: 1,000 sq. ft.. Interior setback: 4 feet minimum. Minimum rental term: 30 days (no short-term rentals). Detached height limit: 16 ft (18 ft near transit).

Glendale has no ADU-specific fine schedule; construction without the required building or zoning permit falls under the citywide default in § 1.20.010(A), a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both, with each day of an unpermitted or noncompliant unit counted as a separate violation. The Community Development Department can also red-tag work and require it brought into compliance with § 30.34.080 before occupancy.

The Bottom Line

Glendale's accessory structures rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Glendale is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Glendale can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.