Can I Build an ADU in Burbank?

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

At least one ADU and one JADU per single-family lot (a conversion ADU may also be possible).

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).

1,200 sq ft

Statewide default cap for detached new-construction ADUs in the absence of a compliant local ADU ordinance. The unconditional by-right floor a city must always allow is 800 sq ft (see Guaranteed minimum size); a city with a compliant ordinance may set its own ceiling.

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

17 ft

A new detached ADU not built atop another structure is limited to one story, 12 ft to top of plate and 17 ft to any architectural feature. An ADU built on top of a detached garage/accessory structure may reach 20 ft to top of plate and 23 ft overall. Attached ADUs follow the base-zone height (§ 10-1-603). State transit/two-story exceptions (18 ft) still apply over any lower local figure.

4 ft

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

4 ft

An ADU may be no closer to the front property line than the wall of the main dwelling furthest from that line; new detached ADUs on a street-facing-side lot set back at least 20% of lot width (min 10 ft) on that side

6 ft

New ADUs must keep a 6-ft separation building-face to building-face and a 4-ft separation eave to eave from any adjacent structure. State law sets no separation; this local rule cannot block the state-protected 800 sq ft / 16-ft / 4-ft-setback ADU.

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, Recorded owner-occupancy / use covenant

Burbank's code still requires a recorded restrictive covenant and, by its terms, owner-occupancy with annual certification (§ 10-1-620.3(I)). The owner-occupancy mandate is preempted by Cal. Gov. Code § 66315 for ADUs and is treated as unenforceable; the covenant itself (no separate sale, 30-day-minimum rental) is administered at permit issuance. Confirm current practice with Burbank Community Development.