Accessory Structures in Arcadia, CA (2026)
6 verified accessory structures rules for Arcadia, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
In the City of Arcadia, California, an accessory dwelling unit is approved ministerially, without discretionary review or a hearing, under Arcadia Municipal Code § 9102.01.080. The city must approve or deny a completed application within 60 days. A detached ADU is capped at 16 feet in height, and a building-permit-only detached ADU needs side and rear setbacks of at least four feet.
City of Arcadia, California ADU and JADU Rules
Some RestrictionsArcadia Municipal Code § 9102.01.080
A.Purpose. ... The purpose of this section is to allow and regulate accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) in compliance with Chapter 13 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code. ... 3.Process and Timing. A.An ADU permit is considered and approved ministerially, without discretionary review or a hearing.B.The city must approve or deny an ap...
ADU Impact Fees
In the City of Arcadia, California, no impact fee is charged on an accessory dwelling unit smaller than 750 square feet. A larger ADU pays impact fees only in proportion to the square footage of the primary dwelling. Water and sewer connection fees and capacity charges are outside that exemption and follow separate utility rules in Arcadia Municipal Code § 9102.01.080(G).
City of Arcadia, California ADU Impact Fee Rules
Light RestrictionsArcadia Municipal Code § 9102.01.080(G)
G.Fees. The following requirements apply to all ADUs that are approved under subsections (D)(1) or (D)(2) above.1.Impact Fees. A.No impact fee is required for an ADU that is less than 750 square feet in size. For purposes of this subsection (G)(1), "impact fee" means a "fee" under the Mitigation Fee Act (Gov. Code § 66000(b)) and a fee under the Quimby Act (Gov. Code § 66477). "Impact fee" her...
ADU Owner Occupancy
In the City of Arcadia, California, an ADU created on or after January 1, 2020 carries no owner-occupancy requirement, but every junior accessory dwelling unit does. A natural person holding title must live in either the primary dwelling or the JADU as a legal domicile. Arcadia Municipal Code § 9102.01.080(E)(7) sets the rule, and a recorded deed restriction backs it up.
City of Arcadia, California ADU Owner Occupancy Rules
Light RestrictionsArcadia Municipal Code § 9102.01.080(E)(7)
7.Owner Occupancy. A.ADUs created under this section on or after January 1, 2020 are not subject to an owner-occupancy requirement.B.As required by state law, all JADUs are subject to an owner-occupancy requirement. A natural person with legal or equitable title to the property must reside on the property, in either the primary dwelling or JADU, as the person's legal domicile and permanent res...
ADU Rental Restrictions
In the City of Arcadia, California, no ADU or JADU can be rented for a term shorter than 28 days, and the ban applies no matter when the unit was created. Renting is allowed, but under Arcadia Municipal Code § 9102.01.080(E) an ADU cannot be sold or conveyed separately from the lot and primary dwelling, except as Government Code section 66341 provides.
City of Arcadia, California ADU Rental Restrictions
Some RestrictionsArcadia Municipal Code § 9102.01.080(E)(4)
4.Rental Term. No ADU or JADU may be rented for a term that is shorter than 28 days. This prohibition applies regardless of when the ADU or JADU was created.5.No Separate Conveyance. An ADU or JADU may be rented, but, except as otherwise provided in Government Code section 66341, no ADU or JADU may be sold or otherwise conveyed separately from the lot and the primary dwelling (in the case of a ...
Shed & Carport Rules
In the City of Arcadia, California, § 9102.01.060 allows up to two detached accessory structures per single-family lot, each one story, no more than 16 ft tall, with a floor area of 50% of the main building's ground floor. Rear setbacks are 10 ft, and construction or relocation needs Site Plan and Design Review.
City of Arcadia, California Shed and Accessory Structure Rules
Some RestrictionsArcadia Municipal Code § 9102.01.060
Any allowable accessory structure that does not require a building permit shall meet the requirements of this Development Code for use, placement on the lot, height, and size. The construction and/or relocation of an accessory structure shall require review and approval per the Site Plan and Design Review, as set forth in Section 9107.19 (Site Plan and Design Review). ... 2.Number Allowed. A ma...
Garage Conversions
In the City of Arcadia, California, a garage becomes living space through the accessory dwelling unit rules in Arcadia Municipal Code § 9102.01.080. A conversion inside an existing accessory structure needs only a building permit, and the code says a garage converted to an ADU does not have to be replaced with off-street parking.
City of Arcadia, California Garage Conversion Rules
Some RestrictionsArcadia Municipal Code § 9102.01.080(D)(1) and (F)(7)(C)
1.Building-permit Only. If an ADU or JADU complies with each of the general requirements in subsection (E) below, it is allowed with only a building permit in the following scenarios:A.Converted on Single-family Lot: One ADU as described in this subsection and one JADU on a lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling on it, where the ADU or JADU:1.Is either: within the space of a pro...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Arcadia city rules.
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