New state initiatives have made it easier for homeowners to build an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or to convert many types of existing spaces into an ADU. ADUs are known by many names: Granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, secondary units and more. They are residential units located on the same parcel as a single-family residence, and are accessory to the primary dwelling. An ADU may be attached to the existing dwelling, located within the existing building envelope, or detached from the existing single-family dwelling unit on the same lot. An ADU includes living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation accommodations separated from the existing single-family residence.

• Government Code Section 65852.2(a)(14)(C)
• ADU Ordinance – Section 17.12.70 of the Calabasas Municipal Code

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is defined as an attached or detached residential dwelling unit which provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons. It shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family dwelling is situated. An accessory dwelling unit can also include an efficiency unit, or a manufactured home (on a permanent foundation only).

• Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) – An existing space of 500 square feet or less within an existing single-family dwelling unit structure. A JADU is allowed separate or shared sanitation facilities (bathroom) within the structure but is required to have separate cooking facilities (efficiency kitchen) and a separate exterior entrance.

• Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) – An existing/additional space of 1,200 square feet or less to the existing single-family dwelling unit (SFD) structure. An ADU is required to have separate sanitation facilities (bathroom) and cooking facilities (kitchen) from the existing main structure (house)

In order to determine if your project qualifies for the new state mandated ADU procedure, please review the link below.

• Accessory Dwelling Unit Standard Checklist

Additionally, you can review the development standards for ADUs in full within the City’s ADU ordinance.

Planning Division Requirements: Planning Department is the first submittal step when applying for an ADU/JADU building permit. If you were able to answer yes to all of the Accessory Dwelling Unit Standard Checklist items then you may be eligible to apply for a Zoning Clearance Permit from the Planning division. Once you have an approved Zoning Clearance permit, you will be able to submit your plans for review with the department of Building & Safety.

The Planning Division is accepting online submittals. Once you have a set of plans ready for review by Planning, and your General Land Use and Development application form filled out, you can submit your request for a Zoning Clearance permit through the City’s Online Portal. If you have any questions on how to submit online or how to upload attachments, please see our Portal User Guide for step-by-step instructions.

Public Works Requirements: Public works must review all grading and drainage plans for proposed projects prior to permit issuance from Building & Safety. Certain minor grading is exempt from needing a grading permit, including the following:

• Minor fills and minor excavations
• Basements and footings
• Cemeteries
• Cultivation
• Conservation projects
• Road maintenance
• Subdivision Improvements
• Wells, pipeline and utilities

Please check with the Public Works department at (818) 224-1600 to find out if a grading permit (or any other permit from their department) is required for your scope of work.

Building & Safety Requirements: When proposing an ADU/JADU you will be required to submit (3) sets of construction plans to Building & Safety at a minimum page size of 24”x 36” with details on how the space will be divided. Alongside the construction plans you will be required to submit all the filled out Building & Safety permit applications. The permit applications will reflect the scope of work that is found on your plans that you have proposed, including mechanical, electrical and plumbing fixtures. The set of construction plans will reflect a more detailed version of the following:

• Title page
• Existing layout of house
• Proposed layout with proposed ADU/JADU
• Construction details (If applicable)

To view the specific requirements for construction plan submittal and the permit applications please review the link below. Each ADU both attached and detached is required to have a secondary address to the primary household. The secondary address will have the primary address number, street name and letter B as the approved address format for ADUs (i.e. 4004 Park Palace Dr. B).

• Accessory Dwelling Unit Residential Plan Submittal Requirements
• Address Numbers Request
• Building Permit Application
• Building Identification Application
• Mechanical Permit Application
• Electrical Permit Application
• Plumbing Permit Application

The ADU project you are proposing may require additional submittal documentation depending on the scope of work. In order to find out if your project requires energy documentation you may need assistance. If your proposed project includes the following scope of work you may be required to submit energy documentation with your plans.

• Addition
• Detached
• Change in exterior envelope

Inspection requests may be made until 7:00 a.m. on the day of the requested inspection by calling (818) 224-1738 Automated Inspection Request Line. Inspectors may be reached in the office between 7:30–9:00 a.m. and 3:30–5:30 p.m. (Friday no later than 4:30 p.m.) to discuss any specific concerns associated with an inspection.

The proposed ADU may require several inspections, below is a summarized list of the inspections that may need to be passed according to your project scope:

• Foundation Footing
• Framing
• Rough inspection
  • Mechanical
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
• Insulation
• Drywall
• Windows (if applicable)
• Exterior walls (If applicable)
• Final Inspection

After passing final inspection on all permits, a Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained from Building and safety. An ADU may not be occupied until a Certificate of Occupancy has been obtained and signed off by the necessary parties.

For a more detail description of the inspections listed above, visit our inspection request page.

• Under California law, a homeowner association may review and regulate only some minor aspects of a member homeowner’s proposed accessory dwelling unit (ADU).    The HOA may not impose regulations, requirements or conditions that “either effectively prohibit or unreasonably restrict the construction or use of the ADU” (California Civil Code section 4751).  For example, the HOA may regulate elements of design and colors, and to a lesser extent placement and height.  But the HOA may not prohibit an ADU in a front yard or other yard if Calabasas zoning standards for the applicable zoning district otherwise allow for an ADU in the location.

Each HOA must look to its Board and members for guidance and direction as to how much, or how little, regulatory review authority should be applied towards ADU proposals; but the HOA should accomplish this within the framework set out under Cal. Civil Code Sec. 4751, and with benefit of legal counsel.  In the meantime, to assist with this process, the California Department of Housing and Community Development has prepared an ADU handbook, which may be accessed via this link:  Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Handbook