South Bay · FAQ

South Bay ADU questions, answered

Questions we get on almost every South Bay site walk. If yours isn't here, ask us — we answer everything before you commit.

Can I build a full-size 1,200 sqft ADU in Manhattan Beach?

MBMC §10.24 caps detached ADUs below state max in some lot sizes. We size the unit against the local ordinance during the feasibility walk.

Do I need a Coastal Development Permit in Hermosa?

Most of Hermosa Beach sits inside the Coastal Zone. A CDP is typically required unless the project qualifies for a categorical exclusion.

What does the Palos Verdes landslide overlay mean for my project?

Parcels inside the active slide zones (Portuguese Bend, Abalone Cove) need a full geotech investigation, deeper foundations, and sometimes a slope stability analysis — all required before plan check.

Are walk-street lots in Hermosa workable for ADUs?

Yes, but tight. We typically design two-story attached ADUs to stay inside the 3-ft side-yard envelope.

Is Torrance easier than the beach cities?

Yes. Torrance, El Segundo, and Lawndale run state ADU law cleanly with no Coastal Zone overlay — typical 8-week ministerial review.

Reference

Terms and guides for this page

Glossary terms

Ministerial Review
Permit review based purely on objective standards — no public hearing, no discretion.
Coastal Development Permit (CDP)
Permit required for construction inside California's Coastal Zone, issued by the city or the California Coastal Commission.
Soils Report
Engineering study of subsurface soil conditions, required for hillside and certain ADU lots.
Setback
Minimum distance a structure must be from a property line.
ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)
A self-contained second home on a residential lot, with its own kitchen, bath, and entrance.
JADU (Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit)
A smaller ADU carved out of the existing house, capped at 500 sqft, with owner-occupancy required.

Field guides

The Los Angeles ADU permit process, step by step
Permitting an ADU inside the City of Los Angeles takes about 8–11 weeks of plan check (LADBS) plus 2–4 weeks of pre-submittal prep. State law caps ministerial review at 60 days from a complete submittal. Total city + utility fees for a 700 sqft detached ADU typically run $13,000–$26,000.