Accessory Structures in El Monte, CA (2026)
6 verified accessory structures rules for El Monte, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
El Monte permits one accessory dwelling unit on almost any residential or mixed-use lot under Zoning Code Section 17.110.030, with ministerial 60-day approval, no minimum lot size, unit caps of 850 to 1,000 square feet for new construction, a 16-foot height limit, and one parking space per bedroom.
ADU Zoning Rules in El Monte
Some RestrictionsEl Monte, CA, Zoning Code (Title 17) Sec. 17.110.030(B)(1), (E)(2), (F)(1) (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior ADUs)
B. Applications. 1. ADUs/Junior ADUs Submitted Separately with Existing Improvements. The city shall ministerially, and without discretionary review or a hearing, act on the application to create an ADU or a Junior ADU which complies with this section within sixty (60) days from the date the city receives a completed application. [...] E. Unit Size. [...] 2. Attached ADU (New). The total square...
ADU Impact Fees
El Monte charges parks, traffic, water, and sewer impact fees on any accessory dwelling unit of 750 square feet or larger, prorated to the ADU's share of the primary dwelling's square footage, while smaller ADUs are exempt.
ADU Impact Fees in El Monte
Some RestrictionsEl Monte, CA, Zoning Code (Title 17) Sec. 17.110.030.S (Accessory Dwelling Units - Fees/Utility Connections)
S.Fees/Utility Connections.1.The property owner shall pay all applicable impact fees related to an ADU seven hundred fifty (750) square feet or larger, including but not limited to, parks, traffic, water and sewer impact fees. Such fees shall be charged proportionately in relation to the square footage of the primary dwelling unit.2.No new or separate utility connection or related fees or capac...
ADU Owner Occupancy
El Monte requires the property owner to live in either the primary dwelling or the junior ADU whenever a junior ADU is built, backed by a recorded covenant, though government agencies, land trusts, and housing organizations are exempt from the requirement.
Junior ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule in El Monte
Significant RestrictionsEl Monte, CA, Zoning Code (Title 17) Sec. 17.110.030.R (Accessory Dwelling Units - Owner Occupancy Requirement for Junior ADUs)
R.Owner Occupancy Requirement for Junior ADUs. Either the existing primary dwelling or junior ADU on a lot shall be occupied by the owner of the property, unless the owner is another governmental agency, land trust, or housing organization. A covenant shall be signed and recorded against the property by the property owner stating that the existing primary dwelling or junior ADU will be occupied...
ADU Rental Restrictions
El Monte requires any accessory dwelling unit or junior ADU to be rented for longer than 30 consecutive days, flatly prohibiting short-term rentals, and separately bars detached and attached ADUs from being sold apart from the main house.
ADU Minimum Rental Term in El Monte
Significant RestrictionsEl Monte, CA, Zoning Code (Title 17) Sec. 17.110.030.L (Accessory Dwelling Units - Limitations to Sell, Convey or Rent an ADU)
L.Limitations to Sell, Convey or Rent an ADU.1.Detached ADUs shall not be sold or otherwise conveyed separate from the primary residence, except as otherwise provided in Section 65852.26 of the California Government Code.2.Attached ADUs or junior ADUs shall not be sold or otherwise conveyed separate from the primary residence.3.The rental of ADUs or junior ADU shall be for a duration longer tha...
Shed & Carport Rules
El Monte caps residential accessory buildings, including sheds, at one story and 16 feet tall, limits their combined footprint to 800 square feet per property, and requires a 4-foot side and rear setback plus architectural matching with the main house.
Accessory Building and Shed Rules in El Monte
Some RestrictionsEl Monte, CA, Zoning Code (Title 17) Sec. 17.110.020 (Accessory Buildings and Structures)
A.Height. Accessory buildings located in any residential zone shall not exceed one story and sixteen (16) feet in height.B.Floor Area. The total area for all accessory buildings shall not exceed eight hundred (800) square feet per residential property. If there is more than one detached single-family dwelling on a property, the total area for accessory buildings shall not exceed six hundred (60...
Garage Conversions
El Monte allows converting an existing garage into an accessory dwelling unit with no unit-size cap under Zoning Code Section 17.110.030, but the conversion must remove the garage door and replace it with building doors or windows, plus a three-foot planter between the unit and the driveway, all reviewed ministerially within 60 days.
Garage Conversion to ADU Rules in El Monte
Some RestrictionsEl Monte, CA, Zoning Code (Title 17) Sec. 17.110.030(E)(4), (M)(4) (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior ADUs - Garage Conversion Standards)
E. Unit Size. [...] 4. Conversion of an Existing Accessory Structure. There shall be no size limit. [...] M. Design. [...] 4. For ADUs converted from a garage or other existing accessory buildings, the garage door shall be removed and replaced with building doors, windows and/or other design features. In addition, a three (3) foot wide planter shall be installed between the ADU and any driveway.
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement El Monte city rules.
Accessory Structures in Los Angeles County →