Can I Build an ADU in Beverly Hills?

Yes — by right

ADUs and JADUs are allowed by right in all residential and mixed-use zones; ministerial approval, no hearing.

1 ADU + 1 JADU (plus 1 Incentive ADU on lots ≥ 13,000 sq ft → up to 3 added units)

Standard: one ADU plus one JADU. On a single-family lot of 13,000 sq ft or more, the Incentive ADU (IADU) program allows one additional unit — a conversion/interior ADU + a JADU + a new detached ADU (≤ 800 sq ft) — but at least one unit on the site must then be deed-restricted to rental (see lease term below).

Conversion ADUs (≥1, up to 25% of units) + up to 8 detached

Conversions of non-livable space (at least 1, or up to 25% of existing units) plus up to 8 detached ADUs on a lot with existing multifamily — never exceeding the number of existing units. JADUs are single-family only.

Allowed

Up to 500 sq ft, within the walls of an existing single-family home (single-family lots only).

1,400 sq ft

Beverly Hills is among the most permissive cities in LA County on ADU size. In the Central Area north of Santa Monica Blvd a detached ADU may reach about 1,400 sq ft; south of Santa Monica Blvd the cap is about 1,200 sq ft. The Hillside Area and Trousdale Estates were intentionally excluded from the expanded standards and follow the state-floor caps instead (≈850 sq ft studio/1-BR, ≈1,000 sq ft for 2+ BR). 800 sq ft is the protected by-right floor everywhere, not Beverly Hills's detached maximum.

50% of the primary dwelling, but ≥850 sq ft (≥1,000 sq ft for 2+ bedrooms) is always allowed

800 sq ft

An 800 sq ft ADU must be allowed regardless of FAR/lot-coverage caps; a city also cannot cap an attached ADU below 850 sq ft (1,000 for 2+ bedrooms).

500 sq ft

25 ft

Detached ADUs in the Central Area may reach roughly 25 ft north of Santa Monica Blvd / 22 ft south of it — above the 16 ft state baseline. The Hillside Area and Trousdale Estates keep the state height floor (16 ft, with the transit 18 ft + 2 ft roof-pitch allowance). Confirm the applicable area before relying on the taller limit.

4 ft

A city cannot require more than 4 ft side or rear setback; conversions of existing structures are exempt.

4 ft

No front setback may block the mandatory 800 sq ft / 16-ft / 4-ft-setback ADU; otherwise per base zone

None required

No statewide separation requirement between the ADU and the primary dwelling.

Up to 1 space

At most 1 space per ADU (or per bedroom, whichever is less) — and waived in the common cases below.

Yes — no parking required near transit & for conversions

No parking may be required within ½ mi walking distance of transit, in a historic district, for an ADU within an existing structure, within one block of car-share, or in certain permit-parking areas.

Not required

When a garage/carport is demolished or converted to build an ADU, replacement parking cannot be required.

Ministerial (by right)

No public hearing or discretionary design review for a qualifying ADU.

60 days

The agency must act within 60 days of a complete application — and the ADU is deemed approved if it does not.

Only for a JADU

No owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs (the prior sunset was removed). A JADU may require owner-occupancy, principally where it shares sanitation with the main house.

Waived under 750 sq ft

An ADU of 750 sq ft or less pays no impact fees (the 750 sq ft threshold itself is exempt under § 66311.5); larger ADUs pay fees proportional to the primary dwelling. JADUs (≤ 500 sq ft) are exempt.

Building permit

Only a ministerial building permit — no conditional use permit or discretionary design review for a qualifying ADU.