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 City Council Meeting: ADU Code Update Ordinance - At their next meeting on Monday, March 11, starting at 7:00 PM, the City Council will consider a draft ordinance to amend the City of Beverly Hills Municipal Code (BHMC) regulations pertaining to ADUs. The draft ordinance is both consistent with state law ADU regulations and reflects direction provided by the Planning Commission during public study session discussions that occurred in 2022 and 2023. On January 25, 2024, by a unanimous vote (4-0), the Planning Commission of the City of Beverly Hills adopted a resolution recommending that the City Council approve the draft ordinance. The draft ordinance includes, but is not limited to, amendments to the BHMC that would:
- Repeal and replace the existing ADU code sections [BHMC §10-3-409; §10-3-603.5; §10-3-702.5; §10-3-803.5; §10-3-902.5; §10-3-1002.5; §10-3-1102.5] with a new Article 50 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units) in Title 10, Chapter 3 (Zoning) of the BHMC to comprehensively regulate single- and multi-family ADU development consistent with state law, including local standards beyond state law minimums;
- Amend the Definitions section [BHMC §10-3-100];
- Create a discretionary review path for ADUs located on any residential property developed with a single-family residence to allow ADUs that do not conform to the proposed by-right objective standards. [BHMC §10-3-3600].
For more information, please refer to the City Council Public Notice for the ADU Ordinance.
The meeting agenda is now available here and the staff report is now available here. As noted on the agenda, there are several ways to participate in the meeting and provide public comment:
How to Participate and Submit Public Comment:
- Oral Comment/Listen only: (310) 288-2288
- Email: cityclerk@beverlyhills.org
- Video (during public comment only): http://beverlyhills.org/comment
- To Watch Video Live: http://beverlyhills.org/live or
- On-Demand: http://beverlyhills.org/citycouncilmeetings
- In-Person: Submit a Speaker Card to the City Clerk at the meeting
PAST EVENTS AND MEETINGS
Planning Commission
At their meeting on Thursday, January 25, 2024, the Planning Commission provided a recommendation that the City Council adopt a draft ordinance to amend the City of Beverly Hills Municipal Code (BHMC) regulations pertaining to ADUs. The draft ordinance is both consistent with state law ADU regulations, and reflects direction provided by the Planning Commission during previous public study session discussions that occurred in 2022 and 2023, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Repeal and replace the existing ADU code sections [BHMC §10-3-409; §10-3-603.5; §10-3-702.5; §10-3-803.5; §10-3-902.5; §10-3-1002.5; §10-3-1102.5] with a new Article 50 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units) in Title 10, Chapter 3 (Zoning) of the BHMC to comprehensively regulate single- and multi-family ADU development consistent with state law, including local standards beyond state law minimums;
- Amend the Definitions section [BHMC §10-3-100];
- Add language to various residential development standard code sections. [BHMC §10-3-2413; -14; 10-3-2509.5; 10-3-2610.5; §10-3-302; §10-3-401; §10-3-701; §10-3-801; §10-3-901; §10-3-1001; §10-3-1101; §10-3-1202; §10-3-2406]; and
- Create a discretionary review path for ADUs located on single-family properties that do not conform to the proposed objective standards. [BHMC §10-3-3600].
To view the video of the January 25th, 2024, Planning Commission meeting, please click HERE.
To read the staff report from the January 25th, 2024, Planning Commission, please click HERE.
Planning Commission Study Session
On Thursday, February 23, 2023, the Planning Commission held a follow-up study session on ADU regulations in single-family residential zones. This was 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.
To view the video of the March 10th, 2022 Planning Commission study session, please click HERE.
To read the staff report from the March 10th, 2022 Planning Commission, please click HERE.
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]
Planning Commission 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, 2022 Planning Commission study session, please click HERE
To read the staff report from the March 10th, 2022 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 State of CA has published a comprehensive handbook that provides more in-depth information about ADUs that can be constructed pursuant to State law. The City currently
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 Long Range Planning team at: longrange@beverlyhills.org 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.
To submit public comment on this item, email your comment to:
LongRange@beverlyhills.org
