ADU Permits: Carson vs Glendale
How do adu permits rules compare between Carson, CA and Glendale, CA?
Carson and Glendale have similar restriction levels.
Carson, CA
Los Angeles County
ADU applications in Carson are reviewed ministerially by the Community Development Department under CMC Article IX, Chapter 1. State law (Gov. Code §65852.2(b)) requires the city to approve or deny a complete application within 60 days without a public hearing.
View full Carson rules →Glendale, CA
Los Angeles County
Glendale processes ADU and JADU applications ministerially under Glendale Municipal Code (GMC) §30.34.080 and California Government Code §65852.2 (as amended by AB 68, AB 881, SB 13, and AB 976). The City Council adopted updated ADU regulations on December 3, 2024 to address California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) compliance findings. Detached ADUs are allowed up to 1,200 sq ft and JADUs up to 500 sq ft.
View full Glendale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Carson | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Permit issuer | Carson Community Development / Building & Safety | - |
| Review type | Ministerial (no hearing, no discretion) | - |
| Approval deadline | 60 days from complete application | - |
| Building code | 2022 CA Building Standards (Title 24 CCR) | - |
| Fire sprinklers | Not required if main dwelling lacks them | - |
| City Hall | 701 E. Carson St., Carson CA 90745 — (310) 830-7600 | - |
| Code Section | - | GMC §30.34.080 |
| Last Amended | - | December 3, 2024 (HCD compliance) |
| Review | - | Ministerial, 60-day cap |
| Detached Max | - | 1,200 sq ft |
| JADU Max | - | 500 sq ft |
| Setback | - | 4 ft side/rear |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Carson FAQ
How long does Carson have to approve my ADU?
60 days from a complete application under Gov. Code §65852.2(b). If they miss the deadline, it is deemed approved.
Do I need a planning commission hearing?
No. State law requires ministerial approval — no hearings, no discretionary review.
Are fire sprinklers required for an ADU in Carson?
Only if the primary dwelling already has them. State law prohibits cities from requiring sprinklers in an ADU when the main house doesn't have them.
Glendale FAQ
How long does ADU review take in Glendale?
California Government Code §65852.2(b) caps ministerial review at 60 days from a complete application. Glendale Community Development processes ADU permits without a public hearing when plans meet GMC §30.34.080 objective standards.
Do I need a public hearing for a Glendale ADU?
No. GMC §30.34.080 and Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2 require ministerial review only — no Planning Commission hearing, no neighbor notice, no discretionary findings. Only objective standards apply.
Compare other topics
See how Carson and Glendale compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool