Beverly Hills

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Beverly Hills are defined as attached or detached residential units that provide complete, independent living facilities including sleeping, cooking and sanitation.

One ADU is permitted on residential properties and may be attached, detached, or created within an existing structure. One Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) is also permitted on single-family lots.

ADUs cannot be sold separately from the primary residence but may be rented for periods of 31 days or longer.

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Beverly Hills follows California ADU law under Municipal Code Article 50, with both ministerial (by-right) approvals and discretionary pathways for exceptions.

• Detached ADU: A standalone residential unit located on the same lot as the primary home
• Attached ADU: A unit that is physically connected to the main house
• Conversion ADU: A unit created from existing interior space or accessory structures
• Junior ADU (JADU): A unit up to 500 sq. ft. located within a single-family dwelling with an efficiency kitchen

• Maximum Size:
  
  • Detached / Attached ADU:

• Up to 850 sq. ft. (studio/1-bedroom) 
• Up to 1,000 sq. ft. (2+ bedrooms) 
• State law ensures at least 800 sq. ft. allowed

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• Setbacks:
  
  • Side and rear setbacks: 4 ft or per underlying zoning, whichever is less
  • Front setbacks: per zoning district
  • Conversions follow existing structure footprint
    
    
• Height Limits:
  
  • Detached: 

• Up to 16 ft
• Up to 18 ft if within ½ mile of transit
  
  

• Parking Requirements:

• One (1) parking space per ADU required:

• within ½ mile walking distance to transit.
• within an architecturally or historically significant district.
• on-street parking permits are required and not provided to the occupant of the ADU
• within one block of a car-share vehicle pickup/drop-off location.

To build an ADU in Beverly Hills, the following approvals and submittals are typically required:

• Building permit application submission
• Plan check review through Building and Safety
• Compliance with Beverly Hills Municipal Code (Article 50)
• Consultation with Planning Division prior to submittal

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Homeowners should also review Beverly Hills current fee schedule, utility connection requirements and fire code compliance.

ADU permit timelines in Beverly Hills generally follow California state law, which requires approval of complete applications within approximately 60 days. However, actual processing times can vary based on factors such as the completeness of the application, the need for plan check corrections and the overall complexity of the project. In some cases, using preapproved ADU plans may help streamline the review process and reduce approval time.

Engaging professionals familiar with Beverly Hills ADU process can help streamline approval and potentially reduce delays.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are allowed on properties zoned for residential use and mixed-use development. Both single-family and multi-family properties are eligible provided an existing or proposed dwelling unit is present. Multi-family properties may allow conversion ADUs in non-livable areas up to 25% of existing units and a limited number of detached ADUs.

For the most current and complete information, refer directly to the City of Beverly Hills.

ADU regulations are constantly evolving and may vary by property conditions. Before starting your project, consult with a qualified professional or ADU specialist to ensure compliance with current local requirements.