accessory dwelling units IN BEVERLY HILLS
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are attached or detached units that provide complete, independent living facilities for sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation on the same site as a single-family residence or multi-family building. Sometimes called second units or granny units, ADUs can be an effective way to provide additional housing on single- and multi-family properties where housing units already exist. While they cannot be sold separate from the main residence, ADUs can be rented. In the City of Beverly Hills, ADUs are allowed on any property that is zoned for single-family or multi-family development.
UPCOMING MEETING
Planning Commission Study Session
Thursday, February 23, 2023
1:30 pm, or as soon thereafter as the item may be heard
City Hall, Second Floor
Commission Room 280-A
455 N. Rexford Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Free 2 hour parking in the Civic Center Parking Structure at 450 N. Rexford Dr.
The Agenda and Staff Report will be published on: Thursday, February 16, 2023 HERE
On Thursday, February 23, 2023, the Planning Commission will hold a follow-up study session on ADU regulations in single-family residential zones. This will be a more focused discussion to hone in on specific standards such as maximum height, maximum floor area, setbacks, parking, view preservation, design standards, landscaping, and utilities. The public is welcome to participate and provide comments before an ordinance is drafted. Based on direction received, a draft ordinance will return to a future Planning Commission meeting for consideration.
How to Participate in the Planning Commission Meeting / Submit Public Comment:
In Person: Submit a speaker card to the Recording Secretary at the meeting
Oral Comment / Listen Only: 310-288-2288
To give video comment live during meeting: https://beverlyhills-org.zoom.us/my/bevpublic (passcode: 90210)
Watch the meeting live (but not comment): https://www.beverlyhills.org/live
Email: commentPC@beverlyhills.org
It is recommended that written public comments be submitted to the Planning Commission Recording Secretary by 11:30 AM on the meeting date. Public comments will also be taken during the meeting when the topic is being reviewed by the Planning Commission. Written comments should identify the Agenda Item number or topic in the subject line of the email. In order to be read at the meeting, written comments will be allowed with a maximum of 350 words, which corresponds to approximately three (3) minutes of speaking time. If a comment is received after the agenda item is heard, it will not be a part of the record.
PAST EVENTS AND MEETINGS
Community Meeting
On Wednesday, August 10, 2022, the City hosted a hybrid community meeting seeking input on developing appropriate regulations to facilitate the development of ADUs in single-family residential zones in Beverly Hills. The feedback received at the meeting will be taken into consideration and incorporated into a draft ordinance which will be considered by the Planning Commission at a future hearing.
To watch the video of the meeting, please click HERE
To view the presentation slides from the meeting, please click HERE
The Beverly Hills Courier covered the meeting HERE [outside link]
Study Session
On March 10, 2022, the Planning Commission held a study session to discuss ADUs. The Planning Commission received an overview of ADU regulations and discussed potentially expanding the minimum standards applicable to ADUs, such as height and floor area, that are currently set forth by the State of CA.
To view the video of the March 10th Planning Commission study session, please click HERE
To read the staff report from the March 10th Planning Commission, please click HERE
GUIDELINES
The State of California made changes to the ADU law that became effective on January 1, 2021, in order to facilitate the development of ADUs. Most importantly, the law established minimum standards applicable to ADUs and if a proposed project complies with these standards, it will be approved by-right and without any discretionary review (no planning permits are required). This means only a building permit is required for construction of the ADU. The City has prepared guidelines below that provide a general overview of the applicable development standards.
Download Beverly Hills Single-Family Residential ADU Guidelines
Download Beverly Hills Multi-Family Residential ADU Guidelines
Additionally, the State of CA has published a comprehensive handbook that provides more in-depth information about ADUs that can be constructed pursuant to State law.
Download State of CA ADU Handbook (updated July 2022)
WHAT IF I WANT AN ADU THAT EXCEEDS THE MINIMUM STATE STANDARDS?
For properties that are located north of Santa Monica Boulevard, the City has an existing discretionary process that may allow for the development of an ADU that is larger than what is currently permitted under State law. This would require an ADU Use Permit and, depending on the configuration of the ADU, it may also require an R-1 Permit to be approved by the Planning Commission. Please contact the Planning Division at 310-285-1141 or cdplanning@beverlyhills.org if you would like more information about this discretionary process.
MORE INFORMATION
If you would like to learn more about how you can build an ADU on your property in Beverly Hills, please call 310-285-1141 and ask to speak with a planner or to make an appointment at the virtual public counter. You can also email your questions to cdplanning@beverlyhills.org.
HOW DO I STAY INFORMED?
If you would like to receive updates on the ADU ordinance, please contact the project planner to be added to the interested parties list. This means that you will receive regular updates on the project, such as notification regarding future meetings.
Project Planner:
Reina Kapadia, AICP
Associate Planner
rkapadia@beverlyhills.org
To submit public comment on this item, email your comment to:
LongRange@beverlyhills.org
