San Gabriel

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a self-contained living space, either attached or detached, located on the same lot as a single-family home and equipped with facilities for living, sleeping, cooking and sanitation. It can be rented out or occupied by the property owner and may have a separate address. 

A Junior ADU (JADU), by contrast, is created by converting an existing bedroom within the home into a smaller, private unit with a wet-bar kitchen and its own entrance.

San Gabriel aligns with California’s broader ADU legislation but has its own requirements for height, setbacks and design review.

• 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 by converting existing space such as a garage or accessory structure
• Junior ADU (JADU): A unit up to 500 sq. ft. located within the existing home with an efficiency kitchen and separate entrance

• Maximum Size:
  
  • Detached: Up to 850 sq. ft. (studio or 1-bedroom) and up to 1,000 sq. ft. (2-bedroom)
  • Attached: Maximum 1,000 sq. ft. or 50% of the primary dwelling’s living area, whichever is less
    
    
• Setbacks:
  
  • Minimum 4 ft from side and rear property lines
  • No additional setback required for conversion of existing structures
    
    
• Height Limits:
  
  • Detached: Maximum 16 ft
    
    
• Parking Requirements:
  
  • No parking required for ADUs created within existing structures or JADUs
  • For new ADUs: 1 parking space per unit or bedroom (whichever is less)
  • Parking is not required if:
    
    • Located within ½ mile of public transit 
    • Located in areas with on-street parking permits
    • Located near a car-share vehicle

• Replacement parking is not required when converting a garage

To build an ADU in San Gabriel, the following approvals and submittals are typically required:

• Building permit application submission
• Plans demonstrating compliance with ADU standards
• Utility connection and service considerations
• Compliance with building and fire codes
• Review by the Community Development Department

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

ADU permit timelines in San Gabriel follow California state law, requiring approval within 60 days for complete applications. 

Actual timelines may vary depending on plan completeness and corrections. Most homeowners should expect approximately 2-4 months from initial submission to permit issuance.

Working with professionals familiar with San Gabriel’s ADU process can help reduce delays.

Most residential zones in San Gabriel allow ADUs.

There is generally no minimum lot size requirement, though all projects must comply with development standards such as setbacks, access and building codes.

For the most current and complete information, refer directly to the City of San Gabriel.

The official ADU webpage and guidebook provide detailed regulations, development standards and application guidance for homeowners planning an accessory dwelling unit project.