Hawaiian Gardens Zoning and ADU Guide for Homeowners

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team.

Hawaiian Gardens allows an accessory dwelling unit of up to 1,000 square feet and two bedrooms, and a junior ADU of up to 500 square feet. This guide summarizes the city’s published ADU and JADU rules, explains the planner appointment step, and covers what an ADU or garage conversion means if you sell your home.

Hawaiian Gardens ADU rules at a glance

ADU size	New or converted ADU may not exceed 1,000 sq. ft. and may not have more than two bedrooms
JADU size	No more than 500 sq. ft. in single-family zones; may not expand the existing dwelling by more than 150 sq. ft.
Height	No more than two stories or 30 feet, or the height of the legal primary dwelling, whichever is less; the code does not preclude an ADU or JADU up to 16 feet
Setbacks	Front 20 feet; rear 4 feet; side 4 feet
Owner occupancy	The owner must live in the primary dwelling or the ADU or JADU, or the entire property is rented as one
Contact	Planning Division, (562) 420-2641, extension 246; knguyen@hgcity.org

When no extra parking is required

The city says no additional parking is required for an ADU or JADU that is within a half-mile radius of a public bus or train stop, within a historically significant district, in an area where on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupant, or within one block of a fixed car-share area.

Outside those cases, ask the Planning Division what parking applies to your lot before you convert a garage, since garage conversions are one of the most common ADU paths.

How to start an ADU project

The city’s two-step starting guidance is simple: hire a draftsperson or architect to prepare a site plan and floor plan of what you want to build, then schedule an appointment with a planner to get feedback.

After that, the project moves to Building and Safety for a building permit; our Hawaiian Gardens building permits guide explains the application, over-the-counter plan check for minor work, inspection scheduling on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and the fee method based on Los Angeles County schedules multiplied by 1.30. Utility charges and fees must be consistent with California Government Code Section 65852.2.

Under state law, cities generally must approve a complete ADU application on a ministerial basis within a set review period, so ask the planner what timeline applies to your project and whether your plans meet the objective standards above. The city page does not list a review timeline, so confirm it directly.

Zoning questions beyond ADUs

The Planning Division reviews project proposals for compliance with the General Plan, the Zoning Ordinance and environmental regulations, and the city’s permit forms include home occupation, variance, minor exception and conditional use applications.

If you run a business from home, plan to add a second structure, or need relief from a setback, the Planning Division is the starting point. The Hawaiian Gardens code enforcement guide explains what happens when work is done without approval.

ADUs, garage conversions and selling a Hawaiian Gardens house

A permitted ADU can add appeal, but an unpermitted garage conversion or backyard unit can slow a sale. Buyers, lenders and appraisers often ask for permit records, and California sellers generally disclose known unpermitted work.

Our statewide guide to selling as-is with unpermitted work explains the rules, and the seller closing costs guide covers other costs. You generally have three paths: bring the unit into compliance, disclose and discount on the open market, or sell as-is to a cash buyer.

• Check whether the unit or conversion was ever permitted.
• Measure it against the size, bedroom, height and setback limits above.
• Ask Planning and Building and Safety what legalization would need.
• Ask Community Development about the pre-sale inspection request.
• Compare the cost and time with a no-repairs cash sale.

How to sell a house in Hawaiian Gardens

1. Review which units or conversions on the property were permitted.
2. Collect permits, plans and any city notices.
3. Request a no-obligation cash offer for the house as it stands.
4. Choose your closing date.
5. Close with no repairs, permit cleanup or showings required.

Our local pages cover related situations in Hawaiian Gardens, including the cash offer process and our main Hawaiian Gardens page.

Frequently asked questions

How big can an ADU be in Hawaiian Gardens?

An ADU may not exceed 1,000 square feet or two bedrooms. A JADU may not exceed 500 square feet.

What setbacks apply to a Hawaiian Gardens ADU?

The city lists a 20-foot front setback and 4-foot rear and side setbacks.

Do I need extra parking for an ADU in Hawaiian Gardens?

Not if the ADU is within a half-mile of a bus or train stop, in a historic district, where on-street permits are required but not offered, or within one block of a car-share area.

Does an ADU require owner occupancy in Hawaiian Gardens?

The owner must live in the primary dwelling or the ADU or JADU, or the whole property must be rented as one.

Who do I contact about an ADU in Hawaiian Gardens?

Call the Planning Division at (562) 420-2641, extension 246, or email knguyen@hgcity.org to schedule a planner appointment.

Can I sell a Hawaiian Gardens house with an unpermitted ADU?

Yes. You can disclose it and sell as-is, including to a cash buyer.

More guides

• We Buy Houses in Hawaiian Gardens
• We Buy Houses in Los Angeles County
• Los Angeles County Property Tax Guide
• Hawaiian Gardens Building Permits Guide
• Hawaiian Gardens Code Enforcement Guide
• All California Guides

Sources

• City of Hawaiian Gardens: ADU or JADU
• City of Hawaiian Gardens: Planning Division
• City of Hawaiian Gardens: Building and Safety Division

This guide is general information from public sources, not legal advice. Confirm current rules, fees and hours with the city.