ADU Impact Fees: Pasadena vs Topanga
How do adu impact fees rules compare between Pasadena, CA and Topanga, CA?
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles County
Pasadena exempts ADUs under 750 square feet from all impact fees per California Government Code §65852.2(f)(3) and extends the exemption to ADUs up to 900 square feet from the city's Residential Impact Fees (RIFs) and Construction Tax. Reduced citywide RIFs and Construction Tax for larger ADUs took effect July 17, 2025. ADUs using Pasadena's Standard Plans qualify for additional permit-fee waivers.
View full Pasadena rules →Topanga, CA
Los Angeles County
No data available yet for Topanga.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Pasadena | Topanga |
|---|---|---|
| Under 750 sq ft | All impact fees waived (state law) | - |
| Under 900 sq ft | RIFs + Construction Tax waived (city) | - |
| Standard Plans | Added permit-fee waivers | - |
| Affordable Covenant | All RIFs waived, any size | - |
| Reduced Fees Effective | May 6 / Jul 17, 2025 | - |
| State Law | Gov. Code §65852.2(f) | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Pasadena FAQ
Are ADU impact fees waived in Pasadena?
Yes for ADUs of 900 sq ft or less — Pasadena exempts these from Residential Impact Fees (RIFs) and the Construction Tax. ADUs under 750 sq ft also receive the full state-law exemption from all local development impact fees under Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(f)(3). ADUs 900 sq ft or larger pay reduced fees effective July 17, 2025.
How do Pasadena Standard Plans help with fees?
ADUs built using Pasadena's pre-approved Standard Plans qualify for additional waivers on plan-check and several permit fees beyond the RIF and Construction Tax exemption. This is the lowest-cost path to permitting in Pasadena.
Topanga FAQ
No FAQs available.
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