ADU Loans in Arcadia, CA

For an ADU requiring an ADU permit, Arcadia caps the maximum size of a detached or attached ADU at 850 sq ft for a studio or one-bedroom unit and 1,000 sq ft for a unit with two or more bedrooms (Code 9102.01.080(F)(1)(A)). An attached ADU on a lot with an existing primary dwelling is further limited to 50% of the primary dwelling's floor area (F)(1)(B), but no FAR, lot-coverage, setback, or percent-based limit may force the ADU below 800 sq ft (F)(1)(C). A separate building-permit-only path allows one detached new-construction ADU up to 800 sq ft with 4-ft side/rear setbacks (D)(1)(B). A JADU is capped at 500 sq ft and must be contained within the existing or proposed single-family structure (C)(5).

Arcadia's objective architectural requirements for permit-track ADUs (Code 9102.01.080(F)(8)) include: exterior lighting limited to down-lights; an independent exterior entrance separate from the primary dwelling, with an attached-ADU entrance not visible from the public right-of-way; an attached porch or covered entry no larger than 60 sq ft and no deeper than 6 ft; any window 9 ft or more above finished floor must be a clerestory window (no dormers) and frosted/obscure glass; the ADU and primary dwelling must share the same driveway unless fire access requires otherwise; street-visible address numbers at least 4 inches high shown on the curb; and no mezzanine, partial floor, or loft. Detached ADUs are limited to one story (F)(10). Accessory structures more generally must match the primary structure's paint colors, materials, and architectural style (9102.01.060(B)(2)). Properties in five City-recognized HOA areas are also subject to Architectural Review Board design review under Resolution 7272 before City permit processing.

Permit-track ADUs must conform to four-foot side and rear setbacks and must conform to the underlying zone's required front setback (Code 9102.01.080(F)(3)(A)), except that no application of the front setback (or FAR, lot coverage, or open-space requirement) may force the ADU below 800 sq ft (F)(1)(C). No setback is required where the ADU is built in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing structure (F)(3)(B). Arcadia also requires that no ADU cause total lot open space to drop below 50% (F)(5). The ordinance imposes no ADU-specific front-yard landscaping mandate beyond these open-space and setback standards.

On a single-family lot, Arcadia allows the building-permit-only combination of one converted ADU plus one JADU (Code 9102.01.080(D)(1)(A)) and, in addition, one detached new-construction ADU up to 800 sq ft (D)(1)(B). The ordinance mirrors state law and does not independently expand or restrict these counts; the practical maximum on a single-family lot tracks the state framework (one conversion ADU + one detached ADU + one JADU). Arcadia did not codify the full statewide three-ADU stack as a distinct local provision. (Multifamily lots have separate counts in (D)(1)(C)-(D).)

Yes. Arcadia operates a Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (PAADU) program implementing AB 1332. The City accepts applications from design professionals to have detached-ADU plans pre-approved for citywide reuse; eligible plans are detached-ADU plans approved by the City after January 1, 2023 that comply with current objective design standards. Approved plans are posted on the City's PAADU webpage, and selecting a pre-approved plan is described as the fastest path to building a detached ADU. Each designer may submit up to two plans, and the program excludes detached ADUs proposed together with a new house. The fee schedule lists an AB 1332 Pre-Approved ADU Plans fee of $1,982 per permit.

An ADU permit is reviewed ministerially without discretionary review or a hearing, and the City must approve or deny a completed ADU/JADU application within 60 days or it is deemed approved (Code 9102.01.080(D)(3)). ADUs that meet the building-permit-only criteria need only a building permit (D)(1)); others need an ADU permit plus a building permit (D)(2)). All building permit applications, plans, and documents are submitted online through the Arcadia EDGE self-service portal (Tyler EnerGov). Per the City's AB 602 process page, each plan-check application is valid 180 days and includes up to three rounds of review, which may involve Building, Planning, Engineering, Public Works, Fire, and Landscape Architect. The fastest path for a detached ADU is selecting a plan from the City's pre-approved (PAADU) list.