Everything homeowners need to know about building an accessory dwelling unit in Burbank - size limits, setbacks, permits, and how the city's own standards layer on top of California's statewide ADU law.
Last verified: August 2026
7/10 · ADU-friendly
1,200 sq ft*
Max ADU size
16 ft*
Max height
Not required
Owner-occupancy
By-right
Permit type
This page summarizes Burbank Municipal Code Section 10-1-620 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units), as amended by Ordinance No. 23-4,002, and California's statewide ADU law (Government Code Section 65852.2 and related sections) for general reference - it is not legal advice. Burbank's local ADU program is under active review as the city works out how it fits alongside new state guidance (see ordinance history below). Always confirm current requirements with Burbank Community Development before designing or applying for permits. See sources below.
Zoning & size requirements
What you're allowed to build
ADU type
Max size
Max height
Notes
Detached (new construction)
Up to 1,200 sq ft under the city's local standard
16 ft, with additional height allowed above a garage or near major transit under state law
4 ft side/rear setbacks; must keep a 6 ft wall separation and 4 ft eave separation from the primary dwelling
Attached (addition, above-garage)
Up to 50% of the primary dwelling's floor area, capped at 1,200 sq ft
Matches the primary structure, up to roughly 25 ft for a two-story configuration
Common approach for above-garage or interior conversions
Junior ADU (JADU)
500 sq ft
Same as primary structure
Must be built within the existing walls of the primary home; generally still requires an on-site owner
Allowed zoning districts
Single-family and multi-family residential zones citywide, including R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, MDR-3, MDR-4, and R-1-H, on any lot with one lawful, pre-existing single-family residence. Confirm your parcel's exact zone and any hillside or fire-hazard overlay with Community Development.
Additional standards
Setbacks, parking & other rules
Setbacks
4 ft from side and rear property lines for new detached construction; a detached ADU may be sited within the front-yard setback only if an 800 sq ft unit can't otherwise fit on the lot with at least a 2 ft side and rear setback
Parking
The city cannot require more than 1 space per ADU, and that requirement is waived for conversions, units within a half-mile of transit, and other state-listed exemptions
Units per lot
1 ADU + 1 JADU on a single-family lot; multifamily properties can convert up to 25% of existing non-livable space and add up to 8 detached ADUs under SB 1211
Owner-occupancy
Not required for ADUs, permanently banned statewide by AB 976 effective January 1, 2024. JADUs generally still require the owner to occupy either the primary residence or the JADU
Building code
Must meet the California Residential Code as locally adopted by Burbank
Rental rules
No separate ADU-specific rental license is required by the city; standard California landlord-tenant law applies
Ordinance history
How Burbank's ADU rules got here
2017Statewide by-right ADU law takes effect. California Government Code Section 65852.2 begins requiring cities, including Burbank, to approve most ADUs ministerially.
2023Local ordinance updated. On November 7, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 23-4,002, effective December 8, 2023, updating BMC 10-1-620's ADU and JADU development standards for consistency with state law.
2024Owner-occupancy ban made permanent. AB 976, effective January 1, 2024, permanently prohibits California cities from requiring owner-occupancy for standard ADUs.
2026 (March)State issues new guidance. HCD's updated statewide ADU Handbook clarified that cities must allow locally-permitted ADUs concurrently with additional state-mandated units on single-family lots, prompting a fresh compliance review in Burbank.
2026 (July)Council directs a new ordinance. On July 28, 2026, the City Council voted 5-0 to direct staff to draft an ordinance addressing HCD's position, while attempting to preserve protections for horsekeeping zones and high fire hazard areas that staff acknowledged the state would likely reject. A compliant draft is due to the state before late fall 2026.
Worth knowing: Burbank sits at the center of the entertainment industry's Los Angeles footprint, home to major studio campuses for Disney, Warner Bros., Netflix Animation, and Cartoon Network. Regional reporting has put the city's jobs-to-housing ratio at roughly 3.9 to 1, among the most lopsided in the area, and homeowners commonly lease ADUs to studio and production crews needing housing near the lot. That imbalance is a real part of why the state keeps pushing Burbank toward higher-density options, including additional ADUs on single-family lots.
Permit process
How Burbank ADU permitting works
1
Pre-application zoning check
Confirm your zone, hillside status, and any fire-hazard overlay with Burbank Community Development before you design.
2
Prepare your plan set
You'll need a site plan, floor plans and elevations, and existing floor plans of the primary home if you're relying on a size formula tied to it. Detached units also need to show the required 6 ft wall separation and 4 ft eave separation from the primary dwelling.
3
Submit your application
File through Burbank's online permitting portal, or in person with Community Development.
4
Ministerial plan review
State law requires a decision within 60 days of a complete application; the permit is deemed approved if the city misses that deadline.
5
Building permit & inspections
Pull your building permit, begin construction, and schedule the standard framing, plumbing, electrical, and final inspections.
6
Consider the Pre-Approved ADU Program
Burbank's library of pre-approved plans (BPAP) can move through review faster than a fully custom design.
ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from most development impact fees under state law. Fees and timelines are approximate - confirm current figures with Community Development.
Budgeting
What it costs to build an ADU in Burbank
Garage conversion
Roughly $75,000-$190,000, the least expensive path since the shell already exists
New detached ADU
Roughly $160,000-$350,000+ for a code-compliant, freestanding unit; during a 2026 council discussion of the city's ADU program, one council member cited a working estimate of roughly $360,000 for a single unit, illustrating how far Los Angeles-area construction costs can run
Permit fees
Vary by project scope and valuation; ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from most development impact fees under state law
Design & architectural fees
Typically add another 10-15% of construction cost for a custom design, less if you use a Pre-Approved ADU Program plan
These are general ranges from local contractor estimates and regional reporting, not quotes - actual cost depends heavily on lot conditions, finishes, and site access. Los Angeles-area labor and material costs run higher than much of the country, so budget accordingly.
Before you apply
Tips for a smooth approval
Confirm your zone and any fire-hazard overlay before you design. Hillside and fire-zone status can affect grading, access, and construction requirements even where the ADU size caps themselves are citywide.
Look into the Pre-Approved ADU Program. Pre-approved plans can move through review faster than a fully custom design.
Watch for the city's ordinance rewrite. Burbank is actively revising its local ADU standards in 2026 in response to state guidance, so confirm you're working from the current version before finalizing plans.
Run the numbers before committing to multiple units. With construction cost running well into six figures and typical rents in the $2,500-$4,000 range, the return on a second or third unit can be thin - model it before you build.
Decide between an ADU and a JADU early. The two paths carry different owner-occupancy and size rules that will shape your design from the start.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need to live on the property to build an ADU in Burbank?
No. California's AB 976 permanently eliminated owner-occupancy requirements for standard ADUs statewide as of January 1, 2024. A Junior ADU (JADU) generally still requires an on-site owner.
How many ADUs can I build on one lot?
On a single-family lot, 1 ADU plus 1 JADU in addition to the primary dwelling. Multifamily properties can convert up to 25% of existing non-livable space and add new detached units, with state law allowing up to 8 detached ADUs on qualifying multifamily lots under SB 1211.
Do I need extra parking for an ADU?
At most 1 space, and the city can't require even that for conversions, ADUs within a half-mile of transit, or other state-listed exemptions.
How long does the permit process take?
State law requires a ministerial decision within 60 days of a complete application, and the permit is deemed approved if Burbank misses that deadline. Confirm current timelines with Community Development.
What's the maximum size for a detached ADU in Burbank?
Up to 1,200 sq ft under the city's local standard, with a 16 ft base height limit (more may be allowed above a garage or near major transit).
How much does an ADU cost to build in Burbank?
Garage conversions tend to run roughly $75,000-$190,000, and new detached units roughly $160,000-$350,000 or more, based on local contractor estimates and regional reporting. Los Angeles-area costs can run higher still; a Burbank council member cited a roughly $360,000 estimate for a single unit during 2026 council discussions.
Is Burbank rewriting its ADU ordinance again?
Yes. Following updated state guidance in March 2026 on how local ADU programs must coexist with state-mandated units, the City Council voted 5-0 on July 28, 2026 to direct staff to prepare a new compliant ordinance, due to the state before late fall 2026. In the meantime, the city continues processing applications under current standards and state law.
Why is Burbank under extra pressure to allow more ADUs?
Burbank is a major entertainment-industry hub, home to studio campuses for Disney, Warner Bros., Netflix Animation, and Cartoon Network, with a jobs-to-housing ratio reported at roughly 3.9 to 1. That imbalance is a significant part of why state housing regulators keep pushing the city toward higher-density options like additional ADUs on single-family lots.
Can I rent my ADU out on Airbnb or a short-term rental platform?
Burbank regulates short-term rentals separately from standard housing rules. Confirm current short-term rental requirements with the city before you finalize your design.
