Temple City Zoning and ADU Guide for Homeowners

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

Temple City publishes an ADU and JADU requirements handout and an ADU FAQ that set size caps, a 16-foot height limit, setbacks, parking rules and electrical requirements for accessory dwelling units. This guide summarizes those two city documents: how big an ADU or junior ADU can be, where it can sit on the lot, when parking is required, what a garage conversion triggers and what to do if your home has an older unpermitted unit.

The city handouts carry no date, so confirm current numbers with Planning before you design.

Temple City ADUs at a glance

Unit size	Efficiency from 220 sq ft; studio up to 600; one bedroom up to 850; more than one bedroom up to 1,000
Attached ADU cap	Not more than 50 percent of the existing primary dwelling or 800 sq ft, whichever is greater
JADU	Studio under 500 sq ft; owner occupancy required
Height	One story and 16 feet
Setbacks	Converted legal structure: none added. New construction or additions: 4 feet side and rear, or 5 feet where the fire access path is located
Parking	Detached new ADU with a bedroom: one uncovered space, tandem allowed. None for attached, converted, near transit or garage conversions
Rentals	Short-term rentals of any type are strictly prohibited
Fees	Based on valuation; ask the Building Permit Counter. Planning handles zoning questions

Sizes and form of ADU

The city’s requirements handout lists a minimum of 220 square feet for an efficiency unit and maximums of 600 square feet for a studio, 850 square feet for a one-bedroom unit and 1,000 square feet for a unit with more than one bedroom.

For an attached unit, the accessory use may not exceed 50 percent of the existing primary dwelling or 800 square feet, whichever is greater. The junior ADU section says it must be a studio under 500 square feet, and it requires owner occupancy.

ADUs are limited to one story and 16 feet, and the handout lists the same 16-foot limit for multiple-family and mixed zones.

Setbacks and where the unit can sit

The handout says a legally constructed structure converted into an ADU needs no additional setback.

A newly constructed ADU, an addition to an existing detached accessory structure and an addition to the primary dwelling all need four feet on the side and rear, or five feet where the fire prevention access path is located.

For multiple-family and mixed zones it lists a four-foot interior and rear setback. If your lot has a narrow side yard or a fire access path, ask Planning to confirm the number for your parcel before paying for plans.

Parking

A detached, newly constructed ADU with one or more bedrooms needs one uncovered parking space, which may be in tandem with other spaces. No parking is required for an attached ADU or one converted entirely from existing structures, for properties within one-half mile of a bus stop, or when the garage of the primary residence is converted to an ADU. Replacement parking for the converted garage is not required.

Garage conversions and change of use

The city’s ADU FAQ says a change of use from garage to ADU requires the structure to comply with current code, citing California Residential Code section R110.2 and California Existing Building Code section 506 on change of occupancy.

In practice a 1950s garage may need insulation, electrical, egress, smoke alarm and structural upgrades. That is one reason many older garage conversions in Temple City were never permitted, and why a buyer’s inspector or lender can raise the question.

Electrical and utilities

The FAQ says electrical plan check is not required for a panel rated 399 amps or less at 120/240 volts, single phase. An applicant can request a separate utility meter or service panel, and a new service or upgrade may not be needed if load calculations confirm the existing service is sufficient.

If new calculated loads exceed the rating of the existing panel, an upgrade is required. The ADU sewer can connect to the existing drainage system or use a separate sewer line.

The FAQ also lists arc-fault and ground-fault protection, tamper-resistant and weather-resistant receptacles, high-efficacy lighting with vacancy sensors in bathrooms, laundry and utility rooms, and required circuits for small appliances, laundry and bathrooms.

Short-term rentals and fees

The handout states that short-term rentals of any type are strictly prohibited for ADUs. It says building permit fees are based on valuation and directs applicants to the Building Permit Counter for a quote and to the Planning Division for zoning requirements.

The monthly permit reports the city posts show ADU projects valued from tens of thousands to well over $100,000, which gives a sense of how varied the cost can be.

State ADU law and Temple City

California’s ADU statute, Government Code section 66314 and following, sets a floor that every city must follow, and local ordinances fill in the details.

The state requires ministerial review within 60 days of a complete application, bars a city from requiring more than a limited set of standards, and generally allows an ADU or conversion inside existing space without added setbacks.

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) publishes a handbook and keeps a list of the state requirements. Because state law changes often, treat the city’s current ordinance and handout as the final word on size, height, parking and fees for your lot.

ADUs, garage conversions and selling a Temple City house

Many older homes have a converted garage or a backyard unit built without permits. Buyers and lenders ask about them, and California sellers generally disclose known unpermitted work. Our guide to selling as-is with unpermitted work explains the rules, and our Prop 13 guide explains how new construction can affect property tax. Before you list:

• Check city records for permits on any ADU, conversion or addition.
• Ask Planning whether the structure could qualify under current rules.
• Estimate plans, fees and corrections needed to legalize it.
• Compare that with selling as-is and letting a cash buyer take on the legalization.

Questions to ask Planning before you design

• Does my lot and zone allow an ADU, a junior ADU, or both?
• Is a pre-approved or pre-reviewed ADU plan available?
• What are the current impact, utility and school fees for the size I am considering?
• Can my existing garage or accessory structure be converted without changing its footprint?
• Are there fire, slope, easement or utility constraints on my lot?

Junior ADUs and garage conversions in more detail

State law treats a junior ADU as a unit of up to 500 square feet created inside the walls of an existing or proposed single-family home, with an efficiency kitchen and a recorded restriction that keeps it from being sold apart from the house.

A garage conversion is a different path: the unit replaces the garage, and state law generally does not require the city to demand replacement parking. Both are common sources of unpermitted space in older Temple City neighborhoods, which is why buyers’ agents and appraisers ask for the permit record.

If a conversion was done without a permit, the usual fix is to submit as-built drawings, pay the fees and pass inspection, which can take months and cost real money.

Fees, utilities and property tax

State law limits the impact fees a city can charge on smaller ADUs and on conversions of existing space, and it limits when a separate utility connection can be required.

Larger new units can still carry impact fees, school fees and water or sewer connection charges, so ask for an itemized estimate before you commit to plans. New construction is generally reassessed for property tax under Prop 13, which means an ADU can raise the bill for the whole property. Our Prop 13 guide explains how reassessment works.

Why ADUs matter for resale

A permitted ADU can add rental income and appeal for some buyers, but an unpermitted one can complicate financing and appraisal. Lenders typically want permitted living area, and an appraiser may not count unpermitted space.

Because an ADU generally cannot be sold separately from the main home, its value comes through the sale of the whole property.

If you inherited a house with an old backyard unit, or bought one with a converted garage, check what the city has on file before you decide how to sell. Our probate home sale guide covers inherited property.

How to sell a house in Temple City

1. Ask the city for the permit record on any ADU or conversion.
2. Collect plans, inspection records 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, legalization or showings required.

See also our Temple City page, the sell as-is page, the sell fast page, the inherited house page, the Temple City cash offer process and the Los Angeles County hub.

Frequently asked questions

How large can a Temple City ADU be?

The city’s handout lists up to 600 square feet for a studio, 850 for a one-bedroom and 1,000 for more than one bedroom. An attached unit may not exceed 50 percent of the primary dwelling or 800 square feet, whichever is greater.

What setbacks apply to a new ADU?

Four feet on the side and rear, or five feet where the fire prevention access path is located. A legally built structure converted to an ADU needs no additional setback.

Is parking required for an ADU in Temple City?

A detached new ADU with a bedroom needs one uncovered space, which can be in tandem. None is required for attached or converted units, within one-half mile of a bus stop, or when a garage is converted.

What does converting a garage require?

The city’s FAQ says a garage-to-ADU change of use must comply with current code under CRC R110.2 and California Existing Building Code section 506.

Can I rent my ADU short term?

No. The city’s handout says short-term rentals of any type are strictly prohibited.

Can I sell my Temple City house with an unpermitted ADU or garage conversion?

Yes. You can disclose it and sell as-is, including to a cash buyer. Our statewide guide explains the disclosure rules.

More guides

• We Buy Houses in Temple City
• We Buy Houses in Los Angeles County
• Los Angeles County Property Tax Guide
• Temple City Building Permits Guide
• Temple City Code Enforcement Guide
• Monterey Park Building Permits Guide
• Arcadia Building Permits Guide
• All California Guides

Sources

• City of Temple City: ADU and JADU Requirements
• City of Temple City: ADU Frequently Asked Questions
• City of Temple City: Apply Online
• City of Temple City: Appointments

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