Accessory Structures in Hawthorne, CA (2026)
6 verified accessory structures rules for Hawthorne, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Hawthorne allows one accessory dwelling unit on any single-family lot and up to two ADUs on multifamily lots, reviewed ministerially by the planning director with no public hearing. Size, height, and setback standards are fixed by Table 17.21.060 under Municipal Code Chapter 17.21.
Hawthorne ADU and JADU Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsHawthorne Code § 17.21.050
An ADU or JADU is permitted in any residential or mixed-use zone that allows residential units. Sites developed or proposed to be developed with a single-family residence shall not be permitted more than one ADU. Sites developed with a multifamily building may convert existing non-habitable square footage within the building to a minimum one ADU and a maximum that shall not exceed twenty-five p...
ADU Impact Fees
Hawthorne charges a non-refundable application review fee for every ADU or JADU permit under § 17.21.040(A), set by city council resolution rather than printed in the code. For ADUs covered by Government Code § 65852.2(1)(A), the city exempts the unit from any new utility connection fee or capacity charge under § 17.21.070(G), unless a whole new connection is actually built.
Hawthorne ADU Application and Utility Fees
Light RestrictionsHawthorne Code § 17.21.040(A); § 17.21.070(G)
§ 17.21.040.A: "...a non-refundable application review fee in the amount established by the city council, amended from time to time, has been paid. Applications deemed incomplete or not in full conformance with the requirements of this code will be rejected." § 17.21.070.G: "For accessory dwelling units described in Government Code Section 65852.2(1)(A), the accessory dwelling unit or junior ac...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Hawthorne's accessory dwelling unit ordinance assumes an owner-occupancy condition can apply to ADUs and JADUs, but § 17.21.070(J) waives it outright when the property owner is a government agency, a land trust, or a housing organization rather than an individual homeowner living on site.
Hawthorne ADU Owner-Occupancy Exemptions
Light RestrictionsHawthorne Code § 17.21.070(J); § 17.21.080
§ 17.21.070.J: "Owner Occupancy. Owner-occupancy shall not be required if the owner is a government agency, land trust, or housing organization." § 17.21.080: "Prior to the issuance of a building permit for a JADU, a deed restriction must be recorded against the title of the property in the county recorder's office and a copy filed with the director of planning and community development. The de...
ADU Rental Restrictions
Hawthorne Code § 17.21.070(H) lets owners rent an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit, but only for terms of thirty consecutive days or longer. Anything shorter, including nightly or weekend short-term rentals, is barred outright in every ADU and JADU citywide.
Hawthorne ADU 30-Day Rental Minimum
Some RestrictionsHawthorne Code § 17.21.070(H) and (I)
§ 17.21.070.H: "Rental Term. ADUs and JADUs may be rented but shall not be used for rentals for term less than thirty consecutive days." § 17.21.070.I: "No Separate Conveyance. An ADU or JADU may be rented, but no ADU or JADU may be sold or otherwise conveyed separately from the lot and the primary dwelling (in the case of a single-family lot) or from the lot and all of the dwellings (in the ca...
Shed & Carport Rules
Hawthorne limits homeowners to one accessory structure other than a garage per lot, confined to the rear half of the property. Storage rooms and tool sheds for household items cap out at 120 square feet, may be wired for electricity, but cannot have plumbing.
Hawthorne Shed and Accessory Building Rules
Some RestrictionsHawthorne Code § 17.20.160
A. Not more than one accessory structure other than a garage may be permitted and shall be restricted to the rear half of the lot. B. There is no minimum required distance between accessory buildings and structures, other than those specified in Section 17.20.060. C. Storage rooms and tool sheds for customary household related items shall be limited to a maximum of one hundred twenty square fee...
Garage Conversions
Hawthorne routes every garage-to-living-space conversion through Chapter 17.21's accessory dwelling unit rules. Multifamily properties can convert detached garages, carports, or covered parking structures into up to two ADUs, and any existing accessory structure converted into an ADU gains up to 150 square feet for a code-required entrance, with no added setback.
Hawthorne Garage-to-ADU Conversion Rules
Some RestrictionsHawthorne Code § 17.21.050(C); Table 17.21.060, Notes (3) and (5)
§ 17.21.050.C: "Sites developed with a multifamily building may convert existing non-habitable square footage within the building to a minimum one ADU and a maximum that shall not exceed twenty-five percent of the number of units on the site. Sites developed with a multifamily building are also permitted to construct two ADUs or to convert detached accessory buildings, garages, carports, or cov...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Hawthorne city rules.
Accessory Structures in Los Angeles County →