California ADU rules · Los Angeles County
Can I Build an ADU in West Hollywood?
Yes — you can build an ADU in West Hollywood. California's statewide ADU law requires every city, including West Hollywood, 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 ruleConverted ADUs: at least 1, up to 25% of existing units (from non-livable space); Detached ADUs: up to 2 on a lot with a proposed multifamily dwelling, or up to 8 on a lot with an existing multifamily dwelling, not to exceed the number of existing units
Detached ADUs on multifamily lots are capped at 2 for proposed multifamily, or 8 for existing multifamily, and cannot exceed the number of existing units.
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 rule1,200 sq ft
Detached ADUs may be up to 850 sq ft (studio/1-bed) or 1,200 sq ft (2+ beds) with discretionary permit; by-right ADUs are limited to 800 sq ft.
Max attached ADU size
Local rule50% of primary, up to 850 sq ft (studio/1-bed) or 1,200 sq ft (2+ beds), never less than 800 sq ft
By-right attached ADUs are limited to 800 sq ft; discretionary permit allows up to 850/1,200 sq ft, subject to 50% of primary dwelling.
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 rule20 ft
Detached ADUs: 18 ft, or up to 20 ft if needed to match primary dwelling roof pitch. Attached ADUs: up to 25 ft or primary dwelling height limit, whichever is lower.
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 ruleR-1/R-2: 10 ft; R-3: 15 ft; R-4: 7.5 ft (for ADUs subject to ADU permit, not by-right 800 sq ft ADUs)
Front setback applies only to ADUs requiring a discretionary ADU permit; by-right 800 sq ft ADUs are not subject to this.
Separation from main house
Local rule6 ft
6 ft minimum separation between detached ADUs and other residential structures, unless built in the same location as an existing structure.
Parking
Parking required
Local ruleNone
No off-street parking required for ADUs.
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 parking required when a garage/carport/parking space is demolished or converted for an 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
No owner-occupancy required for ADUs; JADUs may require owner-occupancy per state law.
Impact-fee waiver
Local ruleWaived under 1,200 sq ft
No impact fees for any ADU or JADU, regardless of size.
Permits required
Local ruleBuilding permit, ADU permit (for discretionary cases)
Ministerial ADUs require only a building permit; discretionary ADUs require an ADU permit.
West Hollywood-specific factors that can change the answer
State law sets the floor, but these local conditions often decide whether a specific parcel works.
Historic properties
ADUs on California Register historic properties must not be visible from the public right-of-way.
West Hollywood allows discretionary ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft and 20 ft tall, but by-right ADUs are limited to 800 sq ft and 18 ft. No parking or impact fees are required, and historic properties have visibility restrictions for ADUs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I build an ADU in West Hollywood?
Yes. California's statewide ADU law requires West Hollywood 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 West Hollywood?
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 West Hollywood?
Side and rear setbacks are limited to 4 ft. R-1/R-2: 10 ft; R-3: 15 ft; R-4: 7.5 ft (for ADUs subject to ADU permit, not by-right 800 sq ft ADUs).
Is parking required for an ADU in West Hollywood?
None. 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 West Hollywood?
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 West Hollywood?
Owner-occupancy: only for a jadu. ADUs under 1,200 sq ft are also exempt from impact fees.
Sources
- WHMC § 19.36.310 (Ord. 25-31, 1/20/2026)
- WHMC § 19.36.310(D.1.a–d)
- WHMC § 19.36.310(F.1.a–c)
- WHMC § 19.36.310(E.2)
- WHMC § 19.36.310(F.2)
- WHMC § 19.36.310(F.6)
- WHMC § 19.36.310(F.4)
- WHMC § 19.36.310(F.4.b)
- WHMC § 19.36.310(D.2.c), (E.8)
- WHMC § 19.36.310(G.1)
- WHMC § 19.36.310(F.5)
- 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)
Last updated 2026-06-25. This is an AI-assisted summary of West Hollywood'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 West Hollywood Planning before relying on it.
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