ADU Owner Occupancy: Long Beach vs Pasadena
How do adu owner occupancy rules compare between Long Beach, CA and Pasadena, CA?
Long Beach and Pasadena have similar restriction levels.
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 →Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles County
Pasadena 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), preempts local owner-occupancy mandates. Junior ADUs (JADUs) under PMC §17.50.275 still require owner occupancy of either the primary dwelling or the JADU because they share walls and utilities, memorialized by deed restriction. AB 1033 condo conversion has not been adopted by Pasadena as of the date of this article.
View full Pasadena rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Long Beach | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| ADU Owner-Occupancy | Not required | - |
| JADU Owner-Occupancy | Required by deed | - |
| State Law | AB 881, AB 976 | Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(6); AB 976 |
| Code Section | Cal. Gov Code 65852.2(a)(6) | - |
| JADU Code | Cal. Gov Code 65852.22 | - |
| Standard ADU | - | No owner occupancy (state preempts) |
| JADU | - | Owner occupancy required |
| Deed Restriction | - | Recorded at JADU permit |
| Condo Conversion (AB 1033) | - | Not adopted by Pasadena |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Pasadena FAQ
Does Pasadena require owner occupancy for ADUs?
No, not for standard ADUs. Cal. 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 Pasadena?
JADUs still require owner occupancy of either the primary dwelling or the JADU under PMC §17.50.275 and Gov. Code §65852.22. Pasadena records a deed restriction at permit issuance memorializing this requirement and the prohibition on separate sale of the JADU.
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