Manhattan Beach Zoning and ADU Guide

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

Zoning in Manhattan Beach is handled by the Planning Division of the Community Development Department. The Municipal Code holds the city’s zoning, building, public works, fire, traffic, noise and health rules, and the city keeps a Zoning and Development Regulations page with handouts for developing and using property. For most homeowners the biggest recent change is the rewrite of the local accessory dwelling unit rules.

What zoning controls on your lot

Zoning sets what can be built and how a parcel may be used: lot coverage, density, setbacks, height and the type of housing allowed.

The city notes that areas of Manhattan Beach vary significantly in lot size, lot coverage, density and traffic, so a rule that works on one street may not apply on the next.

Before you plan any addition, check your parcel’s zone and whether it sits inside the Coastal Zone, because coastal parcels follow extra procedures. The city’s interactive map is the tool it points owners to for that check.

The city’s updated ADU rules

On April 1, 2025, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 25-0004, which amends Municipal Code Chapter 10.74 to add and refine rules for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs). The revised regulations took effect May 1, 2025. The city’s Planning Division publishes an ADU handout that explains both local and state rules, and it is the best starting point for design.

Local ADU code	Municipal Code Chapter 10.74, amended by Ordinance 25-0004
Effective date of revisions	May 1, 2025
ADU state law	Government Code Sections 66314 to 66332
JADU state law	Government Code Sections 66333 to 66339
Where ADUs are allowed	Areas zoned for single-family or multi-family residential use
Where JADUs are allowed	Areas zoned for single-family residential use

ADUs and the Coastal Zone

The same ordinance amends the city’s Local Coastal Program to create local ADU and JADU rules for the Coastal Zone. Those amendments still await certification by the California Coastal Commission. Until that happens, ADUs and JADUs in the Coastal Zone are subject only to the applicable state laws.

ADUs that meet the state requirements are permitted in qualifying zones whether or not they sit inside the Coastal Zone. If your home is near the beach, confirm your status with the city before hiring a designer.

ADU versus JADU

An ADU is a separate small dwelling on a residential lot. It can be a detached backyard unit, an attached addition, or a conversion of an existing garage or other space.

A JADU is a smaller unit carved out of the existing house, and under state law it is available on single-family lots. State law sets the minimum rights an owner has, and the city may adopt reasonable local standards on top of those.

Because the details change, always read the current handout and the state code sections before drawing plans.

Permits for an ADU

An ADU needs building permits like any other dwelling. That means plans checked against the 2025 California codes the city now enforces, inspections through the Citizen Self Service portal, and compliance with construction hours and recycling requirements. See our Manhattan Beach building permits guide for the full process.

State law requires cities to review ADU applications on a ministerial basis, meaning without a discretionary hearing, within a set timeline. Ask the Planning Division how long its review currently takes, since staffing and backlog vary.

What ADU rules mean when you sell

• A permitted ADU adds a feature buyers can see. It should appear in the city’s building record, and the Residential Building Report must match what is on the ground.
• An unpermitted unit is a liability. A converted garage or backyard studio built without permits is the most common problem found in older homes. It must be disclosed if you know about it.
• Legalizing may be possible. State and local ADU laws have made it easier to permit some existing units, but the work and fees can be significant. A designer or the Planning counter can say whether yours qualifies.
• Selling as-is is an option. Cash buyers can take a property with an unpermitted unit, and the price reflects the cost of fixing it.

Zoning questions to ask before you list

• What is the zone, and is the current use (single-family, duplex, extra unit) the authorized one?
• Is the lot in the Coastal Zone?
• Do any additions exceed the lot coverage or setbacks you thought applied?
• Does the building report list every bedroom, bath and unit the listing will claim?

Answering these early keeps buyers, lenders and appraisers from raising them in escrow.

How to sell a house in Manhattan Beach

1. Confirm your zone and whether the lot is in the Coastal Zone.
2. Order the city’s Residential Building Report and compare it to the house.
3. Decide whether to permit, remove or disclose any unit or addition.
4. Compare a traditional listing against a cash offer that buys as-is.
5. Pick a closing date and work through escrow with full disclosures.

Related guides: building permits and code enforcement.

Frequently asked questions

Did Manhattan Beach change its ADU rules recently?

Yes. Ordinance No. 25-0004, adopted April 1, 2025, amended Chapter 10.74 and took effect May 1, 2025.

Can I build an ADU in the Coastal Zone?

Until the Coastal Commission certifies the city’s local coastal amendments, ADUs and JADUs in the Coastal Zone are subject only to applicable state laws.

Where are JADUs allowed?

The city says JADUs that meet state requirements are permitted in areas zoned to allow single-family residential uses.

Do I need a permit for an ADU?

Yes. An ADU needs building permits, inspections and plan check under the current California codes.

Can I sell a Manhattan Beach house with an unpermitted unit?

Yes. Disclose it and sell as-is, including to a cash buyer.

More guides

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

Sources

• City of Manhattan Beach: ADUs and JADUs
• City of Manhattan Beach: Zoning and Development Regulations
• California Government Code, ADU provisions

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