Community Development

What is an ADU?                                         

An Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) is an attached or detached residential dwelling units that provides complete, independent living facilities on a lot with an existing or proposed primary dwelling. Various configurations are possible depending on the existing structures and whether the property has single-family or multi-family dwellings. 

A Junior ADU (JADU) is another housing option for single-family dwelling lots. A JADU must be no more than 500 square feet and created from the existing space within a single-family home or an existing attached garage. Each JADU must include an efficiency kitchen and its own bathroom, or share one within the main home. Unlike ADUs, JADUs may connect internally to the primary home (a connecting door or hallway). Owner occupancy in either the JADU or main home is required only if the JADU shares a bathroom. 

Long Beach currently applies state ADU law directly, as a local ordinance is still in development. Guidance is updated to reflect state legislative changes and interpretations by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Notably, Long Beach ranks as the highest per-capita producer of ADUs in California.

Step 1: Planning Bureau

Before applying for an ADU building permit, please review the City's Planning Information Bulletin on ADUs, which is based solely on state ADU law but summarizes it for convenience. This bulletin outlines key planning regulations, including the number of ADUs allowed and development standards such as setbacks, height limits, and parking requirements.

If your property is located in a Historic District, a Certificate of Appropriateness will be required. Properties within the Coastal Zone must obtain an administrative (no-hearing) Local Coastal Development Permit before submitting a building permit application.

*Please note that Long Beach Municipal Code 21.51.276 no longer applies, and the City is administering state ADU law directly until a new local ordinance is adopted.

Step 2: Permit Center

Schedule an appointment or visit the Permit Center during regular business hours to submit your ADU plans for review. All construction documents and related permit applications must be submitted in person, and applicable plan check fees are due the same day. Online submissions are not available at this time.

Please bring your permit application and a complete set of plans saved as a digital PDF file on a USB drive. For detailed information on what to include in your submittal package, visit the Plan Review Services webpage. Some ADU projects may qualify for over-the-counter review; however, projects located in a Historic District, within the Coastal Zone, or involving major structural engineering are not eligible for this option.

To save time and reduce costs, consider using the City’s Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit Program, available for new construction only (not for conversions of existing space). For questions about fees, plan submittals, blueprints, permit records, or pre-approved ADU plans, please contact the Building and Safety Bureau.

Step 3: Plan Review

Once plan check fees are paid, a Planner and an Engineer from Community Development staff will be assigned to review your plans concurrently.

You will be advised in writing of any incomplete application items and required corrections. Please resubmit the revised plans to both the Planning and Engineering plan reviewers. You can monitor your project’s progress anytime by visiting the Plan Check Status webpage.

Step 4: Permits and Construction

Once your plans are approved, the Building and Safety Bureau will send a “ready-to-issue” email with instructions on completing the permit issuance process, paying permit fees, and obtaining copies of the approved construction documents.

Permits are issued in person at the Permit Center, and appointments are available to help minimize wait times. Please schedule an inspection online at each phase of construction as instructed by Building & Safety. Phone requests for building inspections are not accepted.

What is an SB 9 Unit?                         

A Two-Unit Residential Development (SB 9 unit) allows the construction of a second principal dwelling unit on properties zoned R-1 (single-family) and meeting other locational and housing protection requirements. Each unit must include complete independent living facilities, such as a kitchen and bathroom. This can either be as a detached second single-family dwelling, or as an attached second unit (duplex). If the lot is vacant, two new SB 9 units may be built instead.

Contrary to popular belief, an Urban Lot Split is not required to build an SB 9 unit. Unlike an ADU, an SB 9 unit is classified as a principal dwelling and is therefore subject to the same fees and regulations as any other new home.

Step 1: Planning Bureau

To qualify for an SB 9 unit, a property must be zoned R-1 (Single-Family) and contain no more than one existing single-family dwelling. Confirm a property’s zoning by using the Zoning and Land Use Map.

After confirming the R-1 zoning, complete the SB 9 Project Eligibility Checklist to determine if your property is eligible for an SB 9 unit. Maximum building height, front yard setbacks, lot coverage, open space and floor area ratio are determined by the zoning district. These can be found in the Residential Development Standards table. A limited waiver to one or more of these standards may be allowed if it would otherwise preclude an SB 9 unit of up to 800 square feet.

Projects located in Parking Exempt Areas may be exempt from parking requirements, and an SB 9 unit not in the Parking Exempt Area still may be exempt from parking if located in the SB 9 Parking Exemption Area. Properties in the Coastal Zone require an administrative (no-hearing) Local Coastal Development Permit. SB 9 units are allowed for lots with non-contributing structures in Historic Districts.

Step 2: Permit Center

Schedule an appointment or visit the Permit Center during regular business hours to submit your plans for review. All construction documents and permit applications must be submitted in person, and applicable plan check fees are due at the time of submission. Online submissions are not accepted.

Please bring your permit application and a complete set of plans saved as a digital PDF on a USB drive. For detailed information on submittal requirements, visit the Plan Review Service webpage.

For questions regarding fees, plan submittals, architectural plans, or permit records, contact the Building and Safety Bureau.

Step 3: Plan Review

Once plan check fees are paid, a Planner and an Engineer from Community Development staff will be assigned to review your plans concurrectly.

You will be advised in writing of any incomplete application items and required corrections. Please resubmit the revised plans to both the Planning and Engineering plan reviewers. You can monitor your project's progress anytime by visiting the Plan Check Status webpage.

Step 4: Permits and Construction

Once your plans are approved, the Building and Safety Bureau will send a “ready-to-issue” email with instructions on completing the permit issuance process, paying permit fees, and obtaining copies of the approved construction documents.

Permits are issued in person at the Permit Center, and appointments are available to help minimize wait times. Please schedule an inspection online at each phase of construction as instructed by the Building and Safety Bureau. Phone requests for building inspections are not accepted.

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What is an Urban Lot Split?               

An Urban Lot Split is an option under SB 9 that may enable the subdivision of an existing single-family parcel in the R-1 Zoning District into no more than two lots. Each new parcel must be roughly proportional, with the smaller lot at least 40% and the larger lot no more than 60% of the original parcel’s size.

An Urban Lot Split is not required to build the second principal dwelling unit permitted under SB 9. The City is currently updating the Urban Lot Split Ordinance to align with state law and tailor regulations to meet the needs of Long Beach.

Step 1: Planning Bureau

To qualify for an Urban Lot Split, the lot must comply with the same locational and housing protection requirements as for SB 9 units. Additional criteria for Urban Lot Splits are detailed in the SB 9 Project Eligibility Checklist and Urban Lot Split Filing Requirements.

For an Urban Lot Split, you must apply for a Tentative Parcel Map entitlement using the Planning Permit Application and Urban Lot Split Affidavit of Owner Occupancy. Once approved, a separate application must be submitted to the Public Works Department to process the Final Parcel Map for the Urban Lot Split. The Tentative Parcel Map must receive approval before you may submit plans for the two-unit development if the project otherwise would not be permitted if the Urban Lot Split were not approved.

Be sure your project complies with all Zoning and Subdivision Regulations. Subdivision standards for Urban Lot Splits are outlined in Chapter 20.18 of the Zoning Regulations.

Step 2: Permit Center

Once the Tentative Parcel Map for the Urban Lot Split is recorded with the County of Los Angeles and becomes effective, schedule an appointment or visit the Permit Center during regular business hours to submit your plans for review.

All construction documents and permit applications for the SB 9 unit(s) and associated improvements must be submitted in person, with plan check fees paid at the time of submission. Online submissions are not accepted.

Please bring your permit application and a complete set of plans saved as a digital PDF on a USB drive. For detailed information on what to include in your submittal package, visit the Plan Review Service webpage.

Questions regarding fees, plan submittals, architectural plans, permit records, or pre-approved ADU plans should be directed to the Building and Safety Bureau.

Step 3: Plan Review

Once plan check fees are paid, a Planner and an Engineer from Community Development staff will be assigned to review your plans concurrently.

You will be advised in writing of any incomplete application items and required corrections. Please resubmit the revised plans to both the Planning and Engineering plan reviewers. You can monitor your project's progress anytime by vising the Plan Check Status webpage.

Step 4: Permits and Construction

Once your plans are approved, the Building and Safety Bureau will send a “ready-to-issue” email with instructions on completing the permit issuance process, paying permit fees, and obtaining copies of the approved construction documents.

Permits are issued in person at the Permit Center, and appointments are available to help minimize wait times. Please schedule an inspection online at each phase of construction as instructed by Building & Safety. Phone requests for building inspections are not accepted.

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