California ADU rules · Los Angeles County
Can I Build an ADU in Gardena?
Yes — you can build an ADU in Gardena. California's statewide ADU law requires every city, including Gardena, to approve a qualifying accessory dwelling unit by right, plus a junior ADU (JADU) on a single-family lot. What varies city to city are the local specifics below.
Can you build one?
ADUs allowed
CA state lawYes — by right
ADUs and JADUs are allowed by right in all residential and mixed-use zones; ministerial approval, no hearing.
Units on a single-family lot
CA state law1 ADU + 1 JADU
At least one ADU and one JADU per single-family lot (a conversion ADU may also be possible).
Units on a multifamily lot
Local ruleconversions (>=1 or 25% of units) + up to 2 detached for proposed multifamily, or up to 8 detached for existing multifamily (not to exceed number of existing units)
Detached ADUs for existing multifamily capped at 8 or the number of existing units, whichever is less; only 2 detached for proposed multifamily.
Junior ADU (JADU)
CA state lawAllowed
Up to 500 sq ft, within the walls of an existing single-family home (single-family lots only).
Size & height
Max detached ADU size
CA state law1,200 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.
Max attached ADU size
CA state law50% of the primary dwelling, but ≥850 sq ft (≥1,000 sq ft for 2+ bedrooms) is always allowed
Guaranteed minimum size
CA state law800 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).
Max JADU size
CA state law500 sq ft
Max height
CA state law16 ft
16 ft baseline; cities must allow 18 ft within ½ mi of a major transit stop or where the primary dwelling is two-story, and 20 ft on a lot with a multistory multifamily building.
Setbacks
Side setback
CA state law4 ft
A city cannot require more than 4 ft side or rear setback; conversions of existing structures are exempt.
Rear setback
CA state law4 ft
Front setback
Local ruleADUs must be behind the front yard setback unless replacing an existing structure in the same location/dimensions; requirement waived if it would prohibit an 800 sq ft ADU with 4 ft setbacks
Front setback rule is waived if it would block a compliant 800 sq ft ADU.
Separation from main house
Local rule6 ft
6 ft minimum separation required between ADUs and any other building on the lot or adjacent lot.
Parking
Parking required
Local ruleUp to 1 space
1 space per ADU with at least 1 bedroom; none for studios or conversions within existing living space.
Transit parking exemption
CA state lawYes — 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.
Garage-conversion replacement parking
CA state lawNot required
When a garage/carport is demolished or converted to build an ADU, replacement parking cannot be required.
Approval, timeline & cost
Approval path
CA state lawMinisterial (by right)
No public hearing or discretionary design review for a qualifying ADU.
Approval timeline
Local rule30 days
30 days for applications using a city pre-approved plan; otherwise, state 60-day timeline applies.
Owner-occupancy
CA state lawOnly 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.
Impact-fee waiver
CA state lawWaived 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.
Permits required
Local ruleBuilding permit, Inspection, Application fee
Building permit, inspection, and application fee required.
Gardena imposes an 800 sq ft cap on detached ADUs and requires a 6 ft separation from other buildings. Up to 8 detached ADUs are allowed on existing multifamily lots, but only 2 on proposed multifamily developments.
Frequently asked questions
Can I build an ADU in Gardena?
Yes. California's statewide ADU law requires Gardena to approve a qualifying accessory dwelling unit ministerial (by right), plus a junior ADU (JADU) on a single-family lot.
How big can an ADU be in Gardena?
A detached ADU of at least 1,200 sq ft must be allowed, and an ADU of 800 sq ft can never be zoned out by floor-area or lot-coverage limits. A JADU can be up to 500 sq ft.
What are the setback requirements for an ADU in Gardena?
Side and rear setbacks are limited to 4 ft. ADUs must be behind the front yard setback unless replacing an existing structure in the same location/dimensions; requirement waived if it would prohibit an 800 sq ft ADU with 4 ft setbacks.
Is parking required for an ADU in Gardena?
Up to 1 space. No parking can be required within ½ mile of transit, for conversions, or for units inside the primary home. When a garage is converted, replacement parking is not required.
How long does ADU approval take in Gardena?
A complete application must be acted on within 30 days, with ministerial (by right) — no public hearing or discretionary design review for a qualifying ADU.
Do I have to live on the property to build an ADU in Gardena?
Owner-occupancy: only for a jadu. ADUs under 750 sq ft are also exempt from impact fees.
Sources
- Gardena Municipal Code Chapter 18.13 (Ord. 1883 § 1, 2025)
- §18.13.060(A)(3)-(5)
- §18.13.050(F)(4)
- §18.13.050(F)(3)
- §18.13.050(H)(1)-(2)
- §18.13.020(A)(5)
- §18.13.020(B)-(C)
- Cal. Gov. Code §§ 66310–66342 (ADU Law)
- HCD 2025 Accessory Dwelling Unit Handbook
- Cal. Gov. Code § 66317 (ministerial approval, 60-day deadline)
- Cal. Gov. Code § 66323 (by-right ADU/JADU, 800 sq ft, 4-ft setbacks)
- Cal. Gov. Code § 66333 (junior ADUs)
- Cal. Gov. Code § 66321 (size minimums & height)
- Cal. Gov. Code § 66322 (ADU parking; § 66334 covers JADU parking)
- Cal. Gov. Code § 66314 (local ordinance standards)
- Cal. Gov. Code § 66315 (owner-occupancy)
- Cal. Gov. Code § 66311.5 (impact fees: none for an ADU ≤ 750 sq ft or JADU ≤ 500 sq ft)
Last updated 2026-06-25. This is an AI-assisted summary of Gardena's ADU rules, drawn from its published ordinance and California ADU law — general information, not legal advice, and it may be incomplete or out of date. Verify the controlling rule for your specific parcel with Gardena Planning before relying on it.
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