ADU Owner Occupancy: Pasadena vs Topanga
How do adu owner occupancy rules compare between Pasadena, CA and Topanga, CA?
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 →Topanga, CA
Los Angeles County
No data available yet for Topanga.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Pasadena | Topanga |
|---|---|---|
| Standard ADU | No owner occupancy (state preempts) | - |
| JADU | Owner occupancy required | - |
| State Law | Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(6); AB 976 | - |
| Deed Restriction | Recorded at JADU permit | - |
| Condo Conversion (AB 1033) | Not adopted by Pasadena | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Topanga FAQ
No FAQs available.
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