Long Beach 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 Long Beach Community Development Department; sources are listed at the end.

Long Beach currently applies state accessory dwelling unit (ADU) law directly, because the city says a local ordinance is still in development. That matters if you are selling a house with a back unit or converted garage: what is allowed follows state rules, with the city’s Planning Bureau handling zoning questions and the Building and Safety Bureau handling permits.

Long Beach zoning and ADU at a glance

How do I find out what is allowed on a Long Beach lot?

Start with the Planning Bureau, which provides information on the regulations governing how a property can be used and the minimum zoning standards for development. The city’s ADU page links to a Planning Information Bulletin that summarizes state ADU law, and the Planning Bureau’s counter can answer zoning and development standards questions for ADUs, SB 9 units and urban lot splits at 562.570.6194.

What are the steps to build an ADU in Long Beach?

The city’s ADU page lays out the sequence. First review the Planning Information Bulletin; properties in the Coastal Zone need the administrative Local Coastal Development Permit before a building permit application.

Then bring the permit application and a complete set of plans, saved as a PDF on a USB drive, to the Permit Center. Contact the Building and Safety Bureau about fees, plan submittals, permit records and pre-approved ADU plans.

Selling a Long Beach house with an ADU or converted garage

A permitted ADU is part of the property and can matter to buyers. An unpermitted unit is different: the Code Enforcement Bureau enforces zoning and land-use rules, and a buyer’s inspector or lender may notice a unit that does not match the records. Check the permit history first; our Long Beach building permits guide explains how, and our code enforcement guide covers what happens if a unit is cited.

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

1. Check the permit history for the unit and any garage conversion.
2. Ask Planning what applies to the lot, including any Coastal Zone or historic requirements.
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 Long Beach houses as they are, with no repairs or showings. See how we buy houses in Long Beach 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.

How Long Beach is applying state ADU law

Long Beach applies state ADU law directly while a local ordinance is in development, according to the city. In practice, that means state minimums for review and standards govern in most cases, and the local rulebook may change when the ordinance is adopted. If you are selling a house with a back unit, ask Planning at 562.570.6194 whether anything has changed since the unit was built or approved.

JADUs and the Coastal Zone

The city says a JADU can be no more than 500 square feet and must be created from existing space in a single-family home or an existing attached garage.

If the property is in the Coastal Zone, an administrative, no-hearing Local Coastal Development Permit is required before applying for a building permit. Owners who built a unit in a coastal area without that step may have a gap in their paperwork even if a building permit exists.

Pre-approved plans and related programs

Long Beach runs a Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (PAADU) program, which can shorten the design step for a new unit, and the city also lists SB 9 units and urban lot splits as related programs. If you are thinking about building rather than selling, those are the starting points.

For a seller, they matter mainly because a buyer who sees a lot that could take an ADU or lot split may value it differently.

Questions to ask before you sell

• Is the existing unit on record as an ADU, a JADU or an accessory building?
• If it is a JADU, does it meet the 500 square foot limit and the existing-space requirement?
• If the lot is in the Coastal Zone, was the Local Coastal Development Permit obtained?
• Was the unit permitted and finaled? See our Long Beach building permits guide.

If the answers are unclear, our California guide to selling as-is with unpermitted work explains how disclosure and price adjustments work.

Where to ask and what to bring

Planning questions go to the Planning Bureau at 562.570.6194, and building permit questions go to the Permit Center at 411 West Ocean Blvd. (562.570.PMIT). Bring the property address, any plans or permit numbers you have from the prior owner, and photos of the unit.

Ask two things in particular: how the city classifies the unit today, and whether any approval is missing. Write down the answer and the name of the person who gave it, since a buyer or title officer may later ask.

Selling with an ADU, a JADU or an unclear unit

A properly approved ADU can be a selling point, because buyers may see rental income or space for family.

An unclear unit works the other way: a lender may not count it, an appraiser may value the house as if the unit were not there, and an inspector may flag it.

If the unit is a converted garage or a room with its own entrance, find out how it was permitted. If the records do not support it, you can still sell.

You can try to legalize it first, sell with a price credit, or sell as-is for cash and let the buyer handle the work.

Long Beach also lists SB 9 units and urban lot splits as related programs, so ask Planning whether your lot has options a buyer might value. If you are not sure whether to fix or sell, compare the cost and time of legalizing against the offers you receive.

Long Beach zoning and ADU FAQ

Does Long Beach have its own ADU ordinance?

The city says it currently applies state ADU law directly because a local ordinance is still in development. Check the city’s ADU page for updates.

What is a junior ADU in Long Beach?

According to the city, a JADU must be no more than 500 square feet and created from existing space within a single-family home or an existing attached garage.

Do I need extra approval for an ADU in the Coastal Zone?

Yes. The city says properties in the Coastal Zone must obtain an administrative Local Coastal Development Permit before submitting a building permit application.

Can I sell a house in Long Beach 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.

Does Long Beach have its own ADU ordinance?

The city says it applies state ADU law directly while a local ordinance is in development. Confirm current rules with Planning at 562.570.6194.

Is a Coastal Development Permit needed for an ADU in Long Beach?

The city says an administrative Local Coastal Development Permit is required before applying for a building permit when the property is in the Coastal Zone.

Sources

• City of Long Beach: Accessory Dwelling Units
• City of Long Beach: Permit Center
• City of Long Beach: Code Enforcement

This guide is general information, not legal advice. ADU and zoning rules change; confirm with the Long Beach Planning Bureau.