ADU Owner Occupancy: Glendale vs Long Beach
How do adu owner occupancy rules compare between Glendale, CA and Long Beach, CA?
Glendale and Long Beach have similar restriction levels.
Glendale, CA
Los Angeles County
Glendale cannot require owner occupancy on standard ADUs permitted after January 1, 2020 because California Government Code §65852.2(a)(6), made permanent by AB 976 (2023), prohibits local owner-occupancy mandates. Junior ADUs (JADUs) under GMC §30.34.080 still require owner occupancy of either the primary dwelling or the JADU because they share walls and utilities, recorded by deed restriction.
View full Glendale rules →Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles County
Long Beach cannot impose an owner-occupancy requirement on ADUs under California Government Code Section 65852.2(a)(6), as amended by AB 881 and AB 976. JADUs always require owner-occupancy of the JADU or the primary dwelling, recorded by deed restriction.
View full Long Beach rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Glendale | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Standard ADU | No owner occupancy (state preempts) | - |
| JADU | Owner occupancy required | - |
| State Law | Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(6); AB 976 | AB 881, AB 976 |
| Deed Restriction | ADU Covenant Agreement recorded | - |
| Condo Conversion (AB 1033) | Not adopted by Glendale | - |
| ADU Owner-Occupancy | - | Not required |
| JADU Owner-Occupancy | - | Required by deed |
| Code Section | - | Cal. Gov Code 65852.2(a)(6) |
| JADU Code | - | Cal. Gov Code 65852.22 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Glendale FAQ
Does Glendale require owner occupancy for ADUs?
No, not for standard ADUs. California Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(6) and AB 976 (2023) preempt local owner-occupancy mandates permanently. Both the primary dwelling and the ADU may be rented to non-owner tenants on terms of 30 days or more.
What about JADUs in Glendale?
JADUs still require owner occupancy of either the primary dwelling or the JADU under GMC §30.34.080 and Gov. Code §65852.22. Glendale records an ADU Covenant Agreement against title at permit issuance to memorialize the requirement.
Long Beach FAQ
Do I have to live on-site to rent my Long Beach ADU?
No. Cal. Gov Code 65852.2(a)(6), as amended by AB 881 and AB 976, prohibits Long Beach from requiring owner-occupancy of ADUs.
Does a Long Beach JADU require owner-occupancy?
Yes. Under Cal. Gov Code 65852.22, the owner must occupy either the JADU or the primary dwelling as a principal residence, recorded as a deed restriction at permit issuance.
Can I sell my Long Beach ADU separately from my house?
Generally no, except under the AB 1033 condo-conversion pathway, which Long Beach must opt into by ordinance. JADUs cannot be sold separately under any circumstance.
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