How tall can an ADU be in Los Angeles, and how far from the side and back of the property?
A detached ADU can be 16 ft tall, or 18 ft within half a mile of major transit plus 2 ft to match the main home's roof pitch. An attached ADU can be 25 ft or the zone's limit, whichever is lower. The city may require no more than 4 ft from the side and back of the property, and a front setback cannot be used to block an 800 sq ft ADU.
3. Height and setbacks (detached ADU)
| Rule | Value | Source / status |
|---|---|---|
| Height, standard | 16 ft | § 66321(b)(4). Confirmed |
| Height near transit | 18 ft within half a mile walking of a major transit stop or a high-quality transit corridor, plus 2 ft more to match the main home's roof pitch (so up to 20 ft) | § 66321(b)(4). Confirmed |
| Height, on a multifamily property with a multistory building | 18 ft | § 66321(b)(4). Confirmed |
| Height, attached ADU | 25 ft or the zone's height limit, whichever is lower (no more than two stories) | § 66321(b)(4). Confirmed |
| Side and rear setbacks | 4 ft maximum the city can require | § 66314(d)(7). Confirmed |
| Front setback | May not be applied to block an 800 sq ft ADU | § 66321. Confirmed |
| Conversions | No setback for an existing structure converted in place, or rebuilt in the same footprint | § 66314(d)(7). Confirmed |
The report's "Height here" must check the transit distance. Use the state's High Quality Transit Areas / major transit stops data (Caltrans, SCAG).
From ADU rules in Los Angeles, the guide the property report is built from. Every line carries its source and status.
See how these rules apply to your property