ADU rules in Beverly Hills
The key facts first, then what to plan for on a lot there.
The snapshot
Checked November 2026 against the city's own ADU pages. We re-check every lot against the current code.
Beverly Hills
| Rule | Answer |
|---|---|
| ADU size, Central Area | Up to 1,400 sq ft north of Santa Monica Boulevard, 1,200 sq ft south of it; 800 sq ft is always allowed |
| ADU size, Hillside Area | Up to 1,400 sq ft, within the site's remaining floor area |
| ADU size, Trousdale Estates | 850 sq ft for a studio or one-bedroom, 1,000 sq ft for two or more bedrooms |
| Setbacks | 4 ft side and rear; 0 ft on an alley in the Central and Hillside areas. Detached ADUs in the Hillside Area need a 100 ft front setback |
| Height | 16 ft; 18 ft near major transit. Detached ADUs in the Central Area: 25 ft north of Santa Monica Boulevard, 22 ft south |
| How many | A Central Area single-family lot can have a JADU, a conversion ADU, a detached ADU and one more ADU |
| Incentive ADU | One extra ADU up to 800 sq ft on lots of 13,000 sq ft or more, if one ADU is deed-restricted as a rental |
| Parking | One space unless an exemption applies, such as being within a half mile of public transit; none for a JADU |
| Renting and selling | Rentals must be 31 days or longer; an ADU cannot be sold apart from the house |
| Pre-approved plans | Yes: 7 designer-owned detached plans from 250 to 1,200 sq ft, bought from the designers |
| Legalizing an existing unit | Yes, for units built before January 1, 2020 |
| Building department | Community Development, Planning Division |
What's different here
The Central Area, the Hillside Area and Trousdale Estates each have their own size and height limits. The first thing we check is which one your lot is in.
A Central Area single-family lot can carry several units: a JADU, a conversion, a detached ADU and one more. Larger lots may qualify for an extra Incentive ADU.
Windows within 10 ft of a side or rear line and facing it need high sills or translucent glass. We plan the windows around it.
On single-family lots the city wants a covenant recorded before it issues the building permit. We build that into the schedule.
The city's pre-approved plans were reviewed under the 2022 code and must be updated to the code that took effect January 1, 2026.
What applies here
Cities must now keep a set of pre-approved ADU plans.
Learn moreTurn an older unpermitted unit into a legal, rentable home.
Learn moreUp to 500 sq ft carved out of the house you have.
Learn moreSince January 2025, California lets an existing apartment property add detached ADUs, one for every existing unit up to eight, plus conversions of garages and storage.
Learn morePlans that fit
Ready-drawn plans we adapt to your lot and your city.
Ask about your address
We check the lot against these rules and tell you what fits.