Town Permit Guide

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Can I build an ADU in Manhattan Beach, California?

Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles County · Ordinances checked 2026-10-05 · Reviewed · 14 cited sections

Allowed with a permit

Yes. Manhattan Beach allows ADUs on single-family lots in all Area Districts with a ministerial ADU permit (no public hearing) plus a building permit. Studio and 1-bedroom ADUs can be up to 850 sq ft and 2+ bedroom ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft, with 4-foot side and rear setbacks and a 16-foot height limit for a detached unit.

Where allowedLots with a single-family home in all Area Districts [1]
Number per single-family lot (code)Up to 2 ADUs; only 1 ADU if there is a JADU; only 1 detached [1]
Max size (studio / 1 bedroom)850 sq ft [2]
Max size (2+ bedrooms)1,200 sq ft [2]
Attached ADU size cap50% of existing home's floor area [3]
Detached ADU height16 ft (26 ft total if above or below a detached garage) [14]
Side and rear setbacks4 ft (none for conversions of existing structures) [5]
Parking1 space per ADU, with exemptions (e.g. within 1/2 mile of transit) [12]
Parking exemptionWithin 1/2 mile walking distance of public transit [13]
Minimum rental term30 days [6]
JADU max size500 sq ft, inside the house [8]
Owner-occupancyNot required for ADUs; required for a JADU (main house or JADU) [9]

Where and how many

ADUs are allowed on any lot with an existing or proposed single-family home in all Area Districts. The local code caps a single-family lot at two ADUs, only one ADU if there is also a junior ADU (JADU), and only one detached ADU [1]. Projects meeting the state's by-right standards can skip the ADU permit and go straight to a building permit [10]. State law may override the code's combined cap of two ADUs/JADUs, since it now allows a converted ADU, a JADU and a detached ADU together on one single-family lot. Starting January 1, 2027, state law (AB 956) will also allow two new detached ADUs on a single-family lot, which may override the code's one-detached-ADU limit.

Size, height and setbacks

  • Studio/1-bedroom ADUs: up to 850 sq ft; 2+ bedrooms: up to 1,200 sq ft [2].
  • A new attached ADU can't exceed 50% of the existing home's floor area [3]; state law may override this cap where it would block an ADU of at least 800 sq ft.
  • Detached ADUs: 16 ft tall [14], or 26 ft total if built above or below a detached garage [4].
  • Side and rear setbacks are 4 ft; no setback is needed when converting an existing structure [5].
  • Lot coverage, floor-area and open-space limits are waived if they would block an 800 sq ft ADU.
  • Design rules include a separate exterior entrance, a kitchen, a permanent foundation, alley access for new driveways where available, and privacy glazing on second-story detached ADUs.

Rentals and covenant

You must record a covenant that the ADU will be rented only for 30 days or longer and won't be sold separately from the house [6]. No owner-occupancy is required for an ADU.

Parking

One off-street space per ADU [12], except within half a mile walking distance of transit [13], or inside an existing structure. Converted garages don't need replacement parking [7].

Junior ADUs

A JADU is up to 500 sq ft [8], inside the walls of the house, with its own exterior entry and an efficiency kitchen. The JADU covenant requires the owner to live in the main house or the JADU [9]. State law may override this where the JADU has its own bathroom, since state law now limits owner-occupancy to JADUs that share a bathroom.

Note on currency

This chapter was last amended in 2021 and still cites the old Gov. Code 65852.2. Our copy of the code is current only through August 2024, so the city may have amended it since, and later state ADU amendments may override parts of it.

See how Manhattan Beach compares with 8+ other California towns on accessory dwelling units (adus) →

Next steps

  1. Check whether your project meets the state by-right ADU standards; if so you can apply directly for a building permit with the Building and Safety Division (see the city website for contact details).
  2. Otherwise submit an ADU permit application to the Community Development Department for ministerial review by the Director (no hearing), followed by a building permit.
  3. Get letters of water and sewer service availability for the Building Official with your ADU or building permit submittal.
  4. Record the City Attorney-approved deed restriction (30-day minimum rentals, no separate sale) and give the City proof before final building inspection.

Common questions

Are ADUs allowed in Manhattan Beach, California?
Yes. Manhattan Beach allows ADUs on single-family lots in all Area Districts with a ministerial ADU permit (no public hearing) plus a building permit.
How big can an ADU be in Manhattan Beach, California?
Studio and 1-bedroom ADUs can be up to 850 sq ft and 2+ bedroom ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft, with 4-foot side and rear setbacks and a 16-foot height limit for a detached unit.
Do I need to live on the property to have an ADU in Manhattan Beach, California?
Owner-occupancy is not required for ADUs, but it is required for a JADU.
Can I rent my ADU short term in Manhattan Beach, California?
No. The minimum rental term is 30 days.

California's statewide ADU law

California's ADU law (Gov. Code §§66310–66342, recodified from §65852.2; latest amendments effective January 1, 2026) overrides conflicting city rules, including in charter cities. Cities must approve ADUs ministerially (no hearing) within 60 days of a complete application, or the permit is deemed approved.

What cities cannot require or do:

  • Owner-occupancy for an ADU.
  • A minimum lot size.
  • Side or rear setbacks over 4 feet for a new ADU, or any setback for a converted existing structure.
  • Size, lot coverage or floor-area rules that block an ADU of at least 800 sq ft. Size caps can't be under 850 sq ft (1,000 for 2+ bedrooms).
  • Parking within half a mile walking distance of public transit, or replacement parking for a garage converted to an ADU.
  • Impact fees on ADUs of 750 sq ft or less.

By right on a single-family lot: one converted ADU plus one junior ADU (JADU, up to 500 sq ft inside the house), plus one new detached ADU (up to 800 sq ft, 16 ft tall). Owner-occupancy may be required only for a JADU that shares a bathroom.

Short-term rentals: cities may bar ADU rentals under 30 days, and must for by-right ADUs, JADUs and SB 9 units.

Coming January 1, 2027: AB 956 raises the by-right count to two new detached ADUs per single-family lot.

SB 9 (§§65852.21, 66411.7) allows two homes on a single-family lot, or a split into two lots of at least 1,200 sq ft (with a 3-year owner-occupancy affidavit).

State sources: Gov. Code §66314 (ADU ordinance standards) · Gov. Code §66315 (no owner-occupancy requirement) · Gov. Code §66317 (ministerial review, 60-day deadline) · Gov. Code §66321 (size, setback and height limits on local rules) · Gov. Code §66322 (parking exemptions) · Gov. Code §66323 (by-right ADUs and JADUs) · Gov. Code §66333 (junior ADUs) · Gov. Code §66311.5 (impact fees) · AB 956 (2026), Stats. 2026, ch. 791 · Gov. Code §65852.21 (SB 9 two-unit projects) · Gov. Code §66411.7 (SB 9 urban lot splits) · HCD, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU Handbook, updated March 2026)

What the ordinance says

Exact text from Manhattan Beach's published ordinances. Section numbers are as printed in the source.

  1. Sec. 10.74.040(A)(1), Municipal Code Title 10 Part IV Site Regulations (Ch. 10.52 Residential site regs incl. 10.52.050 Accessory structures, 10.52.070 Home occupation; Ch. 10.60 all districts; Ch. 10.74 Accessory Dwelling Units)
    A maximum of two (2) total ADUs shall be allowed on a lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling within all Area Districts; however, only one (1) ADU shall be allowed on a property that also has a JADU. Only one (1) detached ADU is allowed on a property.
  2. Sec. 10.74.040(B)(1), Municipal Code Title 10 Part IV Site Regulations (Ch. 10.52 Residential site regs incl. 10.52.050 Accessory structures, 10.52.070 Home occupation; Ch. 10.60 all districts; Ch. 10.74 Accessory Dwelling Units)
    Studio and one (1) bedroom ADUs shall not exceed eight hundred fifty (850) square feet of gross floor area. ADUs with two (2) or more bedrooms shall not exceed one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet of gross floor area. The minimum size of an ADU shall be two hundred twenty (220) square feet, or an alternate minimum area for an "efficiency unit" that is adopted by the City.
  3. Sec. 10.74.040(B)(1)(a), Municipal Code Title 10 Part IV Site Regulations (Ch. 10.52 Residential site regs incl. 10.52.050 Accessory structures, 10.52.070 Home occupation; Ch. 10.60 all districts; Ch. 10.74 Accessory Dwelling Units)
    If there is an existing single-family residence, a newly constructed Attached ADU shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the gross floor area of the existing single-family residence.
  4. Sec. 10.74.040(B)(2), Municipal Code Title 10 Part IV Site Regulations (Ch. 10.52 Residential site regs incl. 10.52.050 Accessory structures, 10.52.070 Home occupation; Ch. 10.60 all districts; Ch. 10.74 Accessory Dwelling Units)
    A Detached ADU located above a detached garage or below a detached garage that does not qualify as a basement shall not exceed a total height of twenty-six feet (26′).
  5. Sec. 10.74.040(B)(3), Municipal Code Title 10 Part IV Site Regulations (Ch. 10.52 Residential site regs incl. 10.52.050 Accessory structures, 10.52.070 Home occupation; Ch. 10.60 all districts; Ch. 10.74 Accessory Dwelling Units)
    No setback shall be required for an ADU that is within an existing structure or within a structure constructed in the same location and dimensions as an existing structure. For all other ADUs, the required setback from side and rear lot lines shall be four feet (4′), and the front setback shall be as required for the primary structure.
  6. Sec. 10.74.040(E), Municipal Code Title 10 Part IV Site Regulations (Ch. 10.52 Residential site regs incl. 10.52.050 Accessory structures, 10.52.070 Home occupation; Ch. 10.60 all districts; Ch. 10.74 Accessory Dwelling Units)
    The property owner shall record a declaration of restrictions, in a form approved by the City Attorney, placing the following restrictions on the property, the property owner, and all successors in interest: (i) the ADU is to be rented only for terms of thirty (30) days or longer; (ii) the ADU is not to be sold or conveyed separately from the primary dwelling;
  7. Sec. 10.74.040(F)(4), Municipal Code Title 10 Part IV Site Regulations (Ch. 10.52 Residential site regs incl. 10.52.050 Accessory structures, 10.52.070 Home occupation; Ch. 10.60 all districts; Ch. 10.74 Accessory Dwelling Units)
    When the ADU is created by converting or demolishing a garage, carport or covered parking structure, replacement of parking space(s) eliminated by the construction of the ADU shall not be required as long as the ADU remains in use as a legal ADU.
  8. Sec. 10.74.050(1), Municipal Code Title 10 Part IV Site Regulations (Ch. 10.52 Residential site regs incl. 10.52.050 Accessory structures, 10.52.070 Home occupation; Ch. 10.60 all districts; Ch. 10.74 Accessory Dwelling Units)
    A JADU shall be a maximum of five hundred (500) square feet of buildable floor area and a minimum of two hundred twenty (220) square feet, or an alternate minimum area for an "efficiency unit" that is adopted by the City.
  9. Sec. 10.74.050(6), Municipal Code Title 10 Part IV Site Regulations (Ch. 10.52 Residential site regs incl. 10.52.050 Accessory structures, 10.52.070 Home occupation; Ch. 10.60 all districts; Ch. 10.74 Accessory Dwelling Units)
    Covenant Required: The property owner shall record a declaration of restrictions, in a form approved by the City Attorney, placing the following restrictions on the property, the property owner, and all successors in interest: (i) the property owner shall be an owner-occupant of either the primary dwelling or the JADU, unless the owner is a government agency, land trust, or housing organization;
  10. Sec. 10.74.030(D)(1), Municipal Code Title 10 Part IV Site Regulations (Ch. 10.52 Residential site regs incl. 10.52.050 Accessory structures, 10.52.070 Home occupation; Ch. 10.60 all districts; Ch. 10.74 Accessory Dwelling Units)
    The Director of Community Development or his/her designee shall ministerially review and approve an ADU permit application and shall not require a public hearing, provided that the submitted application is complete and demonstrates that the ADU complies with the requirements contained in this chapter and any other applicable law.
  11. Sec. 10.74.030(C), Municipal Code Title 10 Part IV Site Regulations (Ch. 10.52 Residential site regs incl. 10.52.050 Accessory structures, 10.52.070 Home occupation; Ch. 10.60 all districts; Ch. 10.74 Accessory Dwelling Units)
    An ADU or JADU approved pursuant to this subsection shall be rented only for terms of thirty (30) days or longer.
  12. Sec. 10.74.040(F)(1), Municipal Code Title 10 Part IV Site Regulations (Ch. 10.52 Residential site regs incl. 10.52.050 Accessory structures, 10.52.070 Home occupation; Ch. 10.60 all districts; Ch. 10.74 Accessory Dwelling Units)
    In addition to the off-street parking space(s) required for the primary dwelling, one (1) off-street parking space shall be provided for each ADU, except when:
  13. Sec. 10.74.040(F)(1)(a), Municipal Code Title 10 Part IV Site Regulations (Ch. 10.52 Residential site regs incl. 10.52.050 Accessory structures, 10.52.070 Home occupation; Ch. 10.60 all districts; Ch. 10.74 Accessory Dwelling Units)
    The ADU is located within one-half (½) mile walking distance of public transit;
  14. Sec. 10.74.040(B)(2)(a), Municipal Code Title 10 Part IV Site Regulations (Ch. 10.52 Residential site regs incl. 10.52.050 Accessory structures, 10.52.070 Home occupation; Ch. 10.60 all districts; Ch. 10.74 Accessory Dwelling Units)
    A Detached ADU shall not exceed sixteen feet (16′) in height; or
This page summarizes Manhattan Beach's posted ordinances as of 2026-10-05. Ordinances are amended, and individual lots can have overlays, subdivision covenants, or HOA rules that are stricter. Confirm with Community Development - Code Enforcement / Building and Safety Division, 1400 Highland Ave. (310-802-5518 (Code Enforcement); Building & Safety 310-802-5544) before you build. Spot an error?