Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) present a potential solution to the state's housing crisis. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have been known by many names: granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, secondary units and more.

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs):

• ADUs are permitted by right throughout any zone where residential uses are permitted.
• May be contained within the existing or proposed space of a single-family residence or attached to a single-family residence, within the space of an existing accessory structure, or detached from the single-family residence, subject to the requirements and development standards in this Code and State law.

ADU Development Standards can be found in El Segundo Municipal Code § 15-4E-3.

Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs):

• A permitted junior accessory dwelling unit must be constructed within the walls of a proposed or existing single-family residence.
• One junior accessory dwelling unit is permitted per lot zoned for single-family residences (R-1 zone) with an existing or proposed single-family residence on the lot.

JADU General Requirements and Development Standards can be found in El Segundo Municipal Code § 15-4F-2.

 ADU/JADU Planning Requirements

The handout below contains a summary of Planning Development Standards for ADU's/JADU's and a planning submittal checklist. 

ADU Application Handout

To apply for an ADU/JADU Building permit consult the Planning requirements in the above handout and visit the City E-Z Permit Hub for online Building permit applications. 

ADU Permit Fee Calculator

Residents and property owners are now able to obtain a fee estimate for ADU/JADU projects online through the City's ADU Fee Calculator.  The Calculator can be accessed on the City's E-Z Permit Hub for online Building permit applications.  On the E-Z Permit Hub page, follow the prompts to set up an account (or sign in if you already have one), and select ADU Fee Calculator from the options under the Building Safety Division category.  On the Calculator page, you have to respond to a few questions about your ADU project, including the size of the proposed ADU and the main residence, the construction cost estimate, etc. Once you respond to the questions, click on "Create Record" and the calculator will display an estimate of all the plan check, permit, and development impact fees.  For a printable summary of the fees, you can click on the "ADU Fee Estimate" link on the left side of the screen.  

We hope that this service will help residents and property owners considering an ADU project to plan and budget for their project.

Pre-Approved ADU Plan (PADU) Program

At a glance

• As part of a series of new California laws aimed at providing more affordable housing, the state requires cities like El Segundo to create incentives for homeowners to build accessory dwelling units on their properties.
• The City developed a program to facilitate construction of more accessory dwelling units and meet our community's needs. 
• The program includes permit-ready ADU plans, floor plans, and architectural styles that will help streamline the approval process and reduce the cost to homeowners to design and permit detached accessory dwelling units.
• The program is one of several in the City's recently adopted Housing Element Update that aims to help improve El Segundo's supply of affordable housing.
• Architects, engineers, developers and homeowners can visit the new Pre-approved ADU Plan Program webpage to learn more.

California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)

HCD helps to provide stable, safe homes affordable to veterans, seniors, young families, farm workers, tribes, people with disabilities, and individuals and families experiencing homelessness. HCD has developed a list of existing state grants and financial incentives in connection with the expenses for the planning, construction and operation of an ADU with affordable rent for very low to moderate- income households. Potential State Grants and Financial Incentives for ADUs can be found here.

California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Grant Program

The objective of the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Grant Program is to create more housing units in California by providing a grant for pre-development costs and non-reoccurring closing costs associated with the construction of the ADU. The ADU Grant provides up to $40,000 towards pre-development and non-reoccurring closing costs associated with the construction of the ADU. Predevelopment costs include site prep, architectural designs, permits, soil tests, impact fees, property survey, and energy reports. Additional information can be found here. 

Housing Discrimination (SB 329 and SB 222) 

California recently enacted two housing discrimination laws related to a) source of income and b) veteran or military status discrimination. The City has prepared a factsheet including summaries of the two laws and contact information for the State and County agencies responsible for enforcing them. The factsheet and more information on SB 329 and SB 222 can be found here.