Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are each a secondary residential dwelling unit providing an innovative and effective option for adding much needed housing. ADUs are often called granny flats, in-law units, or backyard cottages. ADUs are allowed in all Residential Zones. Find your property’s zoning designation using the City of Monterey Park Zoning Map linked on the city website.

Key ADU Facts:  

  • ADU may be Attached or Detached or Converted. JADU must be Converted from within the primary dwelling unit (includes attached garage).
  • “Attached” and “detached” is relevant to being attached to or detached from the primary unit. Detached ADUs can share a wall with a detached garage.
  • Converted ADUs must be solely converted. Garages may be converted and expanded upon up to 150 square feet accommodating ingress/egress.

 

The number of ADUs and JADUs permitted on a property is based on the number of primary dwelling units on the residential property.

  • A Dwelling Unit is a residential structure intended for residency by a household (family) with sleeping, kitchen and sanitation facilities.
  • A Single Family Dwelling is one dwelling unit designed for occupancy by one household. 
  • A Multi-Family Dwelling is a building containing two or more dwelling units where each unit is for one household

Find out how many ADU or JADU your property can have using our ADU Number Permitted Chart shown and linked here. 


ADU Development Standards

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) are each a secondary residential dwelling unit that provide complete independent living facilities and are located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. Each shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the primary residence. 

ADUs and JADU Development Standards are regulated by the Monterey Park Municipal Code Chapter 21.50 and the California Government Code Sections §66310-66342. You can refer to our ADU Standards Guideline Chart shown and linked here. 


When your ADU plans are ready, email the plans to the Planning Division at planningpermitcounter@montereypark.ca.gov for preliminary review. After the Planning Division greenlights the ADU plans, the plans can be submitted to the Building Division Portal. An ADU permit process flowchart is coming soon...

Pre-Approved ADU Program

Pre-approved plans refer to architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing designs that meet the City’s requirements and are roughly 70% complete for permitting. The Designer-Owned Pre-Approved ADU Program (linked here) aims to streamline the ADU construction process by offering property owners ready-to-use, high-quality, code-compliant plans. Property owners wishing to use these pre-approved plans will need to hire the design professional to finalize the plans, secure a building permit, and customize them for their specific property.