ADU ZONING
Like all other cities in Los Angeles, Culver City has their own specific ADU zoning laws governing accessory dwelling units. Similar to many other cities in the area, Culver City requires all buildings to follow mandated regulations concerning their accessory dwelling units in order to ensure safety in for residents and businesses. Many of the Culver City zoning laws follow the California Building Code of 2019. Since last year, Culver City zoning laws abide by some state bill updates such as SB13, AB68, AB881, and AB670.
NUMBER OF ADUS ALLOWED
The local zoning laws in Culver City allow a certain amount of ADU unites for each building. According to the current state law, local zoning codes enable building owners to have at least on Accesory Dwelling Unit. This state law includes ADU units along with single family properties such as owner occupied dwellings. The local zoning codes also allow buildings to include JADU or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit. Multi family properties can also have a unit for every four existing residential units as long as they are established legally under the current zoning and state laws of Los Angeles County and California.
TYPES OF UNITS ALLOWED
In the state of California and in Los Angeles County, there are many types of dwelling units that are allowed. These include an individual accessory dwelling unit and a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit or JADU. The units can also include an attached Accessory dwelling unit, a junior accessory dwelling unit that is also attached to a given property. All of the units must be converted from an existing space. Along with these accessory units, property owners can also install garage conversions. However, the garage conversions must follow state and county laws in order to be built.
REQUIRED LOT SIZE
All units must be a certain size according to laws in both the state of California and the county of Los Angeles. A Culver City ADU that is part of a single family or multi family residential parcel is not required to have a minimum lot size. A Culver City ADU can therefore be any size according to the property owner’s preferences. Zoning for ADU's in Culver City that are not single family or multi family residential properties will have to follow the specific ordinances allowed by the state and county. In most cases, Zoning for ADU's in Culver City are allowed to be up to 10,000 square feet and meet all safety guidelines in Los Angeles county.
SIZE
Single family and multi family lots must be up to 850 square feet for a one bedroom unit or up to 1,000 square feet for any unit that is two bedrooms. This applies regardless of any underlying zoning standards of a particular property. A junior unit must be 500 square feet for a one bedroom unit. The minimum size for any living unit must be no less than 150 square feet according to the residential code of the state of California.
CONSTRUCTION SETBACKS
At times there may be construction setbacks on any unit. If there are any setbacks, they must not be more than four feet away from the rear and side lot lines of a given property. No setback is not required for units that are converted from legally established spaces. Any attached new construction units and conversions from existing spaces that are expanded must be complaint with the setbacks of a given zone.
REQUIRED UNIT PARKING
All units have specific requirements for parking just like all other types of properties. Replacement parking should not apply to lots which have converted an existing garage to a conventional Accessory Dwelling unit. All other units must comply with state regulations and building ordinances pertaining to each individual building.
FIRE SAFETY
These units must follow fire safety laws. Units must not be required to provide fire sprinklers unless they are required for a primary housing unit.
SHAPE, MATERIALS AND STYLE RESTRICTIONS
There are no specific design styles required and restrictions are not specific under state policies. Passageways must not be required in conjunction with the construction of any unit built and used.
MAXIMUM HEIGHT
The dwelling units does not currently have a maximum height according to state standards. If the unit height is not established at the local level, all height limitations will need to abide by the zoning policies of the given city.
DESIGN REVIEW
The city must provide a review process that is never based on the discretionary approval for a unit. This process must take at least 120 days. All valid applications that are submitted for units must be processed within this timeframe. Any applications that are not denied after 120 days are automatically approved.
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS ALLOWED
There is no maximum number of bedrooms established by the city. However the number of bedrooms allowed depends on the maximum size of the unit allowed.
OWNERSHIP
Between the years 2020 and 2025, the requirements for owner occupied units will not apply to the accessory units that are applicable to new construction and conversion units.
UTILITY CONNECTIONS
The fees for utility connections must be reasonable and not bi disproportionately higher than those of primary dwellings. This policy is made to ensure that the development of a unit is never deterred. If there is any private sewage disposal systems used, they must be reviewed by a local health official.
ALLOWED ZONES
Beginning in the year 2020, all residential zoning districts that include single and multi family units are allowed to build accessory units according to the laws of the state.
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE
As of today, the state of California’s residential building code was established to oversee the development and regulations of these units.