California ADU rules · Los Angeles County
Can I Build an ADU in Malibu?
Yes — you can build an ADU in Malibu. California's statewide ADU law requires every city, including Malibu, 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
Malibu limits detached ADUs on multifamily lots to 2 per lot, less than the state default of 8.
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
Detached ADUs may be up to 1,000 sq ft with an Administrative Plan Review (APR); 800 sq ft by-right.
Max attached ADU size
Local rule50% of primary, >=800 (>=1,000 for 2+ bedrooms)
If more than one bedroom, minimum is 1,000 sq ft.
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
Local rule16 ft
Detached ADU: 16 ft standard; up to 18 ft near transit; up to 20 ft for roof pitch; attached ADU: up to 25 ft or primary dwelling height, max 2 stories.
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 rule20% of lot depth or 65 ft (whichever is less); beachfront: 20 ft max or average of neighbors
Distinct local front setback rules for non-beachfront and beachfront lots.
Separation from main house
CA state lawNone required
No statewide separation requirement between the ADU and the primary dwelling.
Parking
Parking required
Local ruleUp to 1 space
1 off-street space per ADU; multiple local exemptions.
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
Local ruleNot required
No replacement required if garage/carport is converted or demolished for ADU.
Approval, timeline & cost
Approval path
CA state lawMinisterial (by right)
No public hearing or discretionary design review for a qualifying ADU.
Approval timeline
CA state law60 days
The agency must act within 60 days of a complete application — and the ADU is deemed approved if it does not.
Owner-occupancy
Local ruleOnly for a JADU
Owner-occupancy required for JADUs only.
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, Administrative Plan Review permit (for ADUs >800 sq ft)
APR permit required for detached ADUs above 800 sq ft.
Malibu-specific factors that can change the answer
State law sets the floor, but these local conditions often decide whether a specific parcel works.
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ)
ADUs only allowed on parcels with street ingress/egress of at least 20 ft width.
Coastal Zone
All ADUs subject to Local Coastal Program (LCP) and Coastal Act review.
Historic District
Parking exemption applies if ADU is in a historic district.
Malibu limits detached ADUs on multifamily lots to 2 per lot and requires all ADUs to comply with both fire access and coastal zone regulations. Detached ADUs may be up to 1,000 sq ft with an additional permit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I build an ADU in Malibu?
Yes. California's statewide ADU law requires Malibu 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 Malibu?
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 Malibu?
Side and rear setbacks are limited to 4 ft. 20% of lot depth or 65 ft (whichever is less); beachfront: 20 ft max or average of neighbors.
Is parking required for an ADU in Malibu?
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 Malibu?
A complete application must be acted on within 60 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 Malibu?
Owner-occupancy: only for a jadu. ADUs under 750 sq ft are also exempt from impact fees.
Sources
- Malibu Municipal Code (MMC) Chapter 17.44, Ord. 511, amended 1/8/2024
- MMC §17.44.060(A)(3)-(4)
- MMC §17.44.060(A)(2), §17.44.090(A)(1)
- MMC §17.44.090(A)(2)-(3)
- MMC §17.44.080(H)
- MMC §17.44.090(B)
- MMC §17.44.090(D)
- MMC §17.44.090(D)(3)
- MMC §17.44.080(F)(5)
- MMC §17.44.060(B)
- MMC §17.44.050(C)
- MMC §17.44.060
- MMC §17.44.090(D)(2)(b)
- 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 § 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 Malibu'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 Malibu Planning before relying on it.
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