ADU Rental Restrictions: El Monte vs Pasadena
How do adu rental restrictions rules compare between El Monte, CA and Pasadena, CA?
El Monte has fewer restrictions than Pasadena.
El Monte, CA
Los Angeles County
El Monte ADUs and JADUs may only be rented for terms longer than 30 days. Vacation/short-term rental of an ADU is prohibited by state law and reflected in the City's ADU Program Guidelines.
View full El Monte rules →Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles County
Pasadena ADUs permitted after January 1, 2020 must be rented for terms of 30 days or more under California Government Code §65852.2(a)(7). Short-term rental of ADUs is generally not available because PMC §17.50.296 (Ordinance No. 7317) requires the host to occupy the property as a primary residence for at least nine months per year, and prohibits vacation rentals citywide. ADUs covered by Pasadena's Measure H rent stabilization (built before Feb 1, 1995, or otherwise within scope) may also have rent-cap obligations.
View full Pasadena rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | El Monte | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum rental term | 31+ days | - |
| Short-term rental of ADU | Prohibited | - |
| Source of restriction | Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(6) | - |
| Separate sale of ADU | Generally prohibited | - |
| Long-Term (30+ days) | - | Permitted, no separate license |
| STR Permit | - | PMC §17.50.296 (Ord. 7317) |
| Owner Occupancy | - | 9+ months/year required |
| Un-Hosted Cap | - | 90 days/year |
| Vacation Rentals | - | Prohibited citywide |
| State Law | - | Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(7) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
El Monte FAQ
Can I list my El Monte ADU on Airbnb?
No. State law and the City's ADU Program Guidelines require any ADU rental to be longer than 30 days, which prohibits typical short-term/vacation rental use.
Can I rent a JADU?
Yes, for terms longer than 30 days, but only while the owner occupies the primary residence or the JADU itself, per Cal. Gov. Code §65852.22(a)(2).
Pasadena FAQ
Can I rent my Pasadena ADU on Airbnb?
Generally no. PMC §17.50.296 requires the host to occupy the property as a primary residence for at least 9 months per year and prohibits vacation rentals citywide. ADUs permitted after January 1, 2020 must also be rented for 30 days or more under Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(7). Long-term tenancy is the standard path.
Does Pasadena rent control apply to ADUs?
Possibly. Pasadena's Measure H (City Charter Article XVIII, effective Dec 22, 2022) covers most residential properties built before February 1, 1995 with rent caps and just-cause eviction protections. Whether a specific ADU is covered depends on the parcel's building history — consult the Pasadena Rental Housing Board for a unit-specific determination.
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