Everything homeowners need to know about building an accessory dwelling unit in Glendale - 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
1,000 sq ft*
Max ADU size
16 ft*
Max height
Not required
Owner-occupancy
By-right
Permit type
This page summarizes Glendale Municipal Code Section 30.34.080 (Accessory Dwelling Units) and California's statewide ADU law (Government Code Section 65852.2 and related sections) for general reference - it is not legal advice. Glendale's ordinance is currently under state review and subject to further amendment (see ordinance history below). Always confirm current requirements with Glendale 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)
850 sq ft for a studio or 1-bedroom unit; 1,000 sq ft for a 2-bedroom (or larger) unit
16 ft (up to 18 ft within a half-mile of a major transit stop, plus up to 2 ft more for a roof pitch matching the primary dwelling)
Sized by bedroom count under GMC 30.34.080, not a flat square-footage cap
Same 850 / 1,000 sq ft caps by bedroom count, or 50% of the primary dwelling's floor area, whichever is smaller
Matches the primary structure, up to 25 ft / 2 stories
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
Allowed zoning districts
Citywide on lots zoned for single-family (R1, R1R) or multi-family residential use, including Glendale's hillside districts. ADUs are exempt from Glendale's standard discretionary Design Review process but must still meet an objective compatibility standard under GMC 30.34.080. Hillside and R1R lots carry slope-based standards for the primary structure that can affect grading, access, and site planning, so confirm your parcel's zone and any overlay with Community Development before you design.
Additional standards
Setbacks, parking & other rules
Setbacks
4 ft from side and rear property lines for new detached construction; conversions of existing structures are generally exempt from added structural setbacks; front setback follows the underlying zone
Parking
1 space required for a new ADU unless the project qualifies for an exemption (within a half-mile of transit, a conversion, or another state-listed exemption) under GMC 30.34.080(H)(4); no replacement required for a converted garage space
Units per lot
1 ADU + 1 JADU on a single-family lot. Multifamily lots follow state law: conversion of up to 25% of existing non-livable space, plus up to 8 new detached ADUs under SB 1211
Owner-occupancy
Not required for ADUs, permanently eliminated 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 Glendale (2025 California Building Standards Code cycle, effective January 1, 2026)
Rental rules
No separate ADU-specific rental license is required by the city; standard California landlord-tenant law applies
Ordinance history
How Glendale's ADU rules got here
2017Statewide by-right ADU law takes effect. California Government Code Section 65852.2 begins requiring cities, including Glendale, to approve most ADUs ministerially, prompting a series of local zoning code updates over the following years.
2022State review begins, city adopts an update. The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) issued Glendale an ADU findings letter in March 2022; the City Council responded by adopting Ordinance No. 5997 on November 15, 2022, updating GMC 30.34.080's local development standards.
2023HCD flags 16 non-compliant provisions. A comprehensive HCD review dated December 7, 2023 found Glendale's ordinance still restricted ADUs above detached garages, limited unit mixes beyond what state law allows, and contained other non-compliant provisions.
2024Formal notices and a local fix. HCD issued a Notice of Potential Violation in April, a formal Notice of Violation in June, and a follow-up in August flagging three unresolved issues. AB 976 permanently eliminated owner-occupancy requirements statewide, effective January 1. The City Council adopted further ordinance amendments in December 2024, resolving most but not all of HCD's findings.
2025City and state reach a settlement. On October 3, 2025, Glendale entered a Memorandum of Understanding with HCD, agreeing to further amend its ordinance while maintaining it was not in violation. The city paused enforcement of three restrictive provisions in the interim: the ban on ADUs above detached garages, a ban on detached ADUs where accessory living structures already exist, and a restrictive unit-mix interpretation.
2026Compliance deadlines land. Under the settlement, Glendale must submit a draft amended ADU ordinance to HCD by January 15, 2026 and introduce it at a City Council meeting by March 31, 2026.
Worth knowing: while this rewrite plays out, all ADU applications in Glendale are being processed according to state law, so homeowners don't need to wait for the local ordinance to catch up. Glendale sits within Los Angeles County, where industry permit-tracking reports have found more than 126,000 ADUs approved county-wide since 2018, part of a broader construction boom that has continued even as individual cities like Glendale work through their own compliance issues with the state.
Permit process
How Glendale ADU permitting works
1
Pre-application zoning check
Confirm your zone, and any hillside or overlay status, with Glendale Planning & Zoning at (818) 548-2140 before you design.
2
Prepare your plan set
You'll need a site plan, floor plans and elevations, a roof plan, and cross-sections, plus existing floor plans of the primary home if you're relying on the 50%-of-primary-dwelling size option.
3
Submit your application
File through Glendale's online permit portal, or in person at Community Development, 633 East Broadway, Room 101.
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.
Consider Glendale's Standard ADU Plan Program (pre-approved plans purchased directly from participating designers) for faster review than a fully custom design. Fees and timelines are approximate - confirm current figures with Community Development.
Budgeting
What it costs to build an ADU in Glendale
Garage conversion
Roughly $70,000-$180,000, the least expensive path since the shell already exists
Basement conversion
Uncommon in Glendale's largely slab-built housing stock; where feasible, costs typically run comparable to or higher than a garage conversion
New detached ADU
Roughly $150,000-$340,000+ for a code-compliant, freestanding unit
Permit fees
Reported at roughly $6,000-$18,000 total, covering plan check, building permit, school fees, and utility connections; ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from development impact fees under state law
Utility connections
Glendale Water & Power new service connections are reported at roughly $2,000-$5,000
These are general ranges from local contractor estimates and regional reporting, not quotes - actual cost depends heavily on lot conditions, site access, finishes, and whether your lot sits in a hillside district that adds grading or geotechnical requirements.
Before you apply
Tips for a smooth approval
Confirm your zone and hillside status before you design. Hillside and R1R lots carry slope-based standards for the primary structure that can affect grading and site access even where the ADU size caps themselves are citywide.
Size by bedroom count, not just square footage. Glendale caps a detached ADU at 850 sq ft for a studio or 1-bedroom and 1,000 sq ft for 2+ bedrooms, so your floor plan's bedroom count sets your ceiling.
Check on the city's ongoing ordinance rewrite. Glendale agreed in an October 2025 settlement with the state to amend its ADU ordinance again, with council action required by spring 2026 - confirm you're working from the current standards before finalizing plans.
Ask about the Standard ADU Plan Program. Pre-approved plans purchased from participating designers can move through review faster than a fully custom design.
Budget utility connection costs separately. Glendale Water & Power connection fees are billed apart from standard plan-check and building permit fees.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need to live on the property to build an ADU in Glendale?
No. California's AB 976 permanently eliminated owner-occupancy requirements for ADUs statewide as of January 1, 2024, so you can build and rent out an ADU without living on site. Junior ADUs generally still require 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.
Do I need extra parking for an ADU?
Usually one space, unless your project qualifies for an exemption, such as being within a half-mile of transit or being a conversion of existing space. A demolished garage space doesn't need to be replaced.
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 Glendale misses that deadline. Confirm current timelines with Community Development.
What's the maximum size for a detached ADU in Glendale?
850 sq ft for a studio or 1-bedroom unit, or 1,000 sq ft for a 2-bedroom or larger unit, with a 16 ft height limit (up to 18 ft within a half-mile of major transit).
How much does an ADU cost to build in Glendale?
Garage conversions tend to run roughly $70,000-$180,000, and new detached units roughly $150,000-$340,000 or more, based on local contractor estimates and regional reporting. Permit fees are reported at roughly $6,000-$18,000 on top of construction cost.
Is Glendale's ADU ordinance fully compliant with state law?
Not yet fully. The state's HCD flagged multiple non-compliant provisions between 2022 and 2024, and Glendale entered a settlement in October 2025 agreeing to amend its ordinance further, with council action required by spring 2026. In the meantime, the city is processing all applications according to state law, so this shouldn't hold up a homeowner's project.
Are there special rules for hillside properties?
Glendale's hillside and R1R districts apply slope- and story-based standards to primary structures, and hillside sites often carry added grading, access, and geotechnical requirements. The city's ADU size and height caps themselves are citywide, but confirm any site-specific overlay requirements with Community Development before you design.
