Alhambra · ADU permits
ADU permits in Alhambra
How to build a ADU in Alhambra: permit pathway through Alhambra Development Services Department, drawings required, local watch-outs, and a free address-level wizard for your Alhambra lot.
Alhambra context
Alhambra's ADU ordinance is in Alhambra Municipal Code Title 23. The city aligns with the California state baseline. Plan check is typically 45-60 days. Main Street + Garfield Avenue commercial corridors qualify many surrounding parcels for the transit + corridor parking exemption.
- Permit agency
- Alhambra Development Services Department
- Median lot size
- 5,400 sqft
- ADU permits issued (2025)
- 1Source: Cal HCD Annual Progress Report 2025 (Table A2, BP_ISSUE_DT1 set). Peak: 150 in 2023
Alhambra ADU ordinance
Verified against Alhambra Development Services Department's published ordinance on 2026-05-12. State law (CA Government Code §65852.2) overrides any locally-stricter rule.
Max detached ADU size
1,200 sqft (state default)
Max ADU height
16 ft / 18 ft with second-story setbacks
Setbacks
4 ft side / 4 ft rear (state minimum)
Main Street design context
Required for parcels in the historic Main Street commercial district
Local processing time
45-60 days for standard ADUs
Pre-approved standard plans
None city-specific
Drawings you'll need to submit
Type your address. See if you can build an ADU, what kind, and exactly how to permit it.
- Site plan (parcel layout + setbacks)
- Proposed floor plan
- Elevations (each side)
- Title 24 CF1R energy compliance
PermitPathLA generates the site plan free from your Alhambra address. The other drawings come from your architect or plan firm — we list pre-approved options in the wizard.
Alhambra watch-outs for ADU
Overlays that hit a meaningful share of Alhambra lots
Main Street historic district~5% of parcels
Exterior-visible ADUs on parcels in or adjacent to the Main Street historic district face design review.
Local quirks
Alhambra Unified school fees apply
Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD) charges school facility fees on ADUs over 500 sqft.
Transit-corridor parking exemption is broadly applicable
Parcels within 0.5 mi of the Main Street or Garfield Avenue commercial corridors qualify for the state Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) parking exemption. Confirm with Alhambra Development Services for your specific parcel.
Main Street dining scene drives rental demand
Alhambra's Main Street is one of the most active small-business + dining strips in the San Gabriel Valley. ADU rental demand from regional workers + students is unusually strong.
Run your Alhambra address through the wizard
We pull your parcel polygon from county GIS, apply Alhambra ordinance + state baseline rules, generate the site plan, and walk you through the Alhambra Development Services Department submittal. Free, no signup.