California ADU rules · Los Angeles County
Can I Build an ADU in La Verne?
Yes — you can build an ADU in La Verne. California's statewide ADU law requires every city, including La Verne, 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 ruleUp to 25% of existing units as conversions (minimum 1); up to 8 detached ADUs (not to exceed number of existing units) on lots with existing multifamily; up to 2 detached ADUs on lots with proposed multifamily
Detached ADUs on multifamily lots capped at number of existing units; only 2 detached allowed on 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
Local rule1,000 sq ft
Local cap: 850 sq ft (studio/1-bed), 1,000 sq ft (2+ beds); must allow at least one 800 sq ft unit per state law.
Max attached ADU size
Local rule850 sq ft (studio/1-bed), 1,000 sq ft (2+ beds); must allow at least one 800 sq ft attached ADU
Local cap matches detached; state override for 800 sq ft minimum applies.
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 rear building line of the primary residence in single-family zones, unless converting an existing accessory structure in the same location/dimensions
Front setback rule restricts ADU placement in single-family zones.
Separation from main house
Local rule10 ft
Detached ADUs must be at least 10 ft from other buildings on the lot.
Parking
Parking required
Local ruleUp to 1 space
1 space per ADU (if at least 1 bedroom); exemptions for JADUs, conversions, and state-mandated cases.
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 pre-approved plans; 60 days for standard applications.
Owner-occupancy
Local ruleOnly for a JADU
Owner-occupancy required only for JADUs (owner must reside in primary or JADU).
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
CA state lawBuilding permit
Only a ministerial building permit — no conditional use permit or discretionary design review for a qualifying ADU.
La Verne-specific factors that can change the answer
State law sets the floor, but these local conditions often decide whether a specific parcel works.
Mills Act contract properties
ADU must comply with contract and Secretary of Interior Standards; contract must be amended to authorize ADU
Sprinkler requirements
Sprinklers required for ADU only if primary dwelling requires them
La Verne caps detached and attached ADUs at 1,000 sq ft (2+ beds) and requires detached ADUs to be at least 10 ft from other buildings. ADUs must be behind the primary home's rear building line in single-family zones, and historic Mills Act properties face additional restrictions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I build an ADU in La Verne?
Yes. California's statewide ADU law requires La Verne 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 La Verne?
A detached ADU of at least 1,000 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 La Verne?
Side and rear setbacks are limited to 4 ft. ADUs must be behind the rear building line of the primary residence in single-family zones, unless converting an existing accessory structure in the same location/dimensions.
Is parking required for an ADU in La Verne?
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 La Verne?
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 La Verne?
Owner-occupancy: only for a jadu. ADUs under 750 sq ft are also exempt from impact fees.
Sources
- La Verne Municipal Code Chapter 18.120 (Ord. 25-1133, 9/15/2025)
- §18.120.060(A)-(E)
- §18.120.050(D)(1), (3)
- §18.120.050(E)(1)-(3)
- §18.120.050(E)(5)
- §18.120.050(H), §18.120.070(E)
- §18.120.030(A), §18.120.060, §18.120.040
- §18.120.080(C)
- §18.120.050(M)
- §18.120.050(G)
- 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 § 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 La Verne'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 La Verne Planning before relying on it.
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