Glendale Zoning and ADU Guide for Homeowners and Sellers

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team. Information comes from the City of Glendale Community Development Department; sources are listed at the end.

To find the zoning on a Glendale property, use the city’s interactive Zoning and Parcel Map. Once you know the zone, you can look up its development standards in the Zoning Code, Glendale Municipal Code Title 30, which also governs accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

Glendale zoning and ADU at a glance

How do I find the zoning for a Glendale property?

The city tells owners to review its interactive zoning map to find the zone, then read the development standards that apply to it. The city also takes planning and zoning appointment requests if you need help interpreting the result.

What are the main ADU rules in Glendale?

According to the city’s ADU page, a detached ADU has a 4-foot setback from interior property lines, is no more than 16 feet in height (18 feet if existing development is multi-story), has an independent entrance, a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen, complies with the building code, and is served by utilities.

An attached ADU over 800 square feet may not exceed 50% of the primary dwelling’s floor area. A parking space is required unless an exemption applies, and an ADU over 850 square feet needs a second bedroom.

The city states that it is the applicant’s responsibility to verify the project complies with the zoning code before submitting a building permit application, so confirm current rules with the city.

Selling a Glendale house with an ADU or converted garage

A permitted ADU is part of the property and can matter to buyers. An unpermitted unit can surface in a buyer’s inspection or the permit records. Check the permit history first; see our Glendale building permits guide, and our code enforcement guide for what happens if a unit is cited.

Single-family lots: the two ADU types Glendale allows

The city’s ADU page, updated November 7, 2025, says a lot with one existing dwelling can add two kinds of unit. A junior ADU must be built within existing legally permitted space in the main house, is limited to 500 square feet, and needs an efficiency kitchen, independent access and utilities.

The other type can take several forms, with a maximum of 1,000 square feet depending on development standards. An ADU over 800 square feet that is attached to the main dwelling may not exceed 50 percent of the primary dwelling’s floor area.

Standards for an ADU of 800 square feet or less

• A 4-foot setback from interior property lines.
• An independent entrance, a bedroom, a bathroom and a kitchen.
• A maximum height of 25 feet for an ADU attached to the main building and 16 feet for a detached ADU, with up to 18 feet within half a mile of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor, plus 2 feet where needed to match the roof pitch. No more than two stories are allowed.

For an ADU over 800 square feet, the underlying zone standards apply, including floor area ratio, lot coverage and landscaping, along with objective design standards. A parking space is required unless the project qualifies for an exemption under Glendale Municipal Code section 30.34.080(H)(4), and an ADU over 850 square feet needs a second bedroom. The city says ADUs under 750 square feet do not pay a development impact fee of approximately $5,000.

Multi-family lots

On multi-family properties, the city says existing non-livable space can be converted to at least one ADU, with additional conversions up to 25 percent of the existing units, rounded down, so at least four existing units are needed for a second conversion.

New detached ADUs are allowed too: at least two, or as many as the number of existing units up to a maximum of eight. They must be detached from existing buildings by 5 feet from roof eave to roof eave. Rooftop decks on ADUs are not permitted.

How to apply

The city’s steps are to research the rules, prepare drawings and apply for a building permit through the GlendalePermits portal, with separate applications for single-family, multi-family or condominium, and commercial or mixed-use sites.

It lists a pre-approved standard plan, a one-story 740-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit, with two more listed as coming soon. The page stresses that it is the applicant’s responsibility to verify zoning compliance before submitting. For fee estimates, call the Building Division at (818) 548-3200, and for planning questions call (818) 548-2140.

What this means when you sell

If the house has a back unit, a few questions decide how smooth the sale is: Was it permitted and finaled? Does it meet the height, setback and bedroom rules above? Is it rented?

An ADU that was built before current rules or without a permit can be difficult to finance, which is why buyers sometimes discount it heavily.

At the state level, AB 2533 helps legalize unpermitted units built before January 1, 2020; see our statewide guide and the tenant-occupied sale guide if the unit has a renter.

How to sell a house in Glendale with an ADU or zoning problem

1. Check the zone in the Zoning and Parcel Map.
2. Check the permit history for the unit or garage conversion.
3. Compare options: legalize the unit, sell with a price credit, or sell as-is to a cash buyer who prices the risk in.
4. Disclose honestly. Known unpermitted work should be disclosed.

We buy Glendale houses as they are. See how we buy houses in Glendale or our cash home buyer page.

Not sure what your zoning or unit means for a sale? Call (424) 435-2326 or request a cash offer. There is no cost and no obligation.

Glendale zoning and ADU FAQ

How do I look up zoning in Glendale?

Use the city’s interactive Zoning and Parcel Map, then read the development standards for the zone in the Zoning Code.

What is the setback for a detached ADU in Glendale?

The city says a detached ADU has a 4-foot setback from the interior property lines and is no more than 16 feet in height, or 18 feet if existing development is multi-story.

Does a large ADU need a second bedroom in Glendale?

Yes. The city says an ADU over 850 square feet requires a second bedroom.

Can I sell a house in Glendale with an unpermitted ADU?

Yes. It can complicate a traditional sale, so disclose it and choose between legalizing it, discounting the price, or selling as-is to a cash buyer.

How large can an ADU be in Glendale?

The city says up to 1,000 square feet depending on development standards, a junior ADU is limited to 500 square feet, and an attached ADU over 800 square feet may not exceed 50 percent of the primary dwelling’s floor area.

Does Glendale charge an impact fee on small ADUs?

The city says ADUs under 750 square feet are not required to pay a development impact fee of approximately $5,000.

How tall can a detached ADU be in Glendale?

The city lists 16 feet for a detached ADU, with up to 18 feet within half a mile of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor, plus 2 feet if needed to match the roof pitch, and never more than two stories.

Sources

• City of Glendale: Accessory Dwelling Units
• City of Glendale: City Maps
• City of Glendale: How to Submit a Planning Application

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Zoning and ADU rules change; confirm with the City of Glendale.