Monterey Park · ADU permits
ADU permits in Monterey Park
How to build a ADU in Monterey Park: permit pathway through Monterey Park Community Development Department, drawings required, local watch-outs, and a free address-level wizard for your Monterey Park lot.
Monterey Park context
Monterey Park's ADU ordinance is in Monterey Park Municipal Code Title 21. The city aligns with the California state baseline. Plan check is typically 45-60 days. Garvey Park hosts the Garvey Ranch Observatory, an unusual public amateur observatory.
- Permit agency
- Monterey Park Community Development Department
- Median lot size
- 5,500 sqft
- ADU permits issued (2025)
- 92Source: Cal HCD Annual Progress Report 2025 (Table A2, BP_ISSUE_DT1 set)
Monterey Park ADU ordinance
Verified against Monterey Park Community Development 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)
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 Monterey Park address. The other drawings come from your architect or plan firm — we list pre-approved options in the wizard.
Monterey Park watch-outs for ADU
Overlays that hit a meaningful share of Monterey Park lots
Hillside parcels in northern Monterey Park~12% of parcels
Slopes over 25% trigger grading + geotech review.
Local quirks
Schools split between Alhambra USD + Garvey SD + Montebello USD
Monterey Park is split between three school districts depending on location. Verify which district covers your parcel before assuming school assignments + facility fees.
Run your Monterey Park address through the wizard
We pull your parcel polygon from county GIS, apply Monterey Park ordinance + state baseline rules, generate the site plan, and walk you through the Monterey Park Community Development Department submittal. Free, no signup.