Pasadena pairs a refreshed ADU ordinance (Ord. 7420, effective May 20, 2024) with a free Standard Plans Program and significant fee discounts for affordability-covenanted projects.
JADU capped at 500 sq ft within primary/attached garage space. Other ADU maxima governed by Ord. 7420 plus tables for SF vs MF zones (detached may be restricted from public view in some zones).
State guarantee: California requires every city to allow at least an 800 sq ft ADU exempt from local lot coverage, FAR, and front-setback rules.
Height baseline: 16 ft for detached, rising to 18 ft within ½ mile of major transit. Attached ADUs follow the primary home, capped at 25 ft.
Generally 1 space per unit or per bedroom (whichever is less), may be tandem. Waived if ≤½ mi transit, conversion wholly in existing envelope, historic district, car-share within 1 block, or bundled application creating a new primary dwelling.
Online e-permitting via MyPermits (cityofpasadena.net/mypermits). Free virtual ADU consult available. Standard Plans accept "no modifications".
State backstop: A complete ADU permit must receive a decision in 60 business days. If the city stalls past 30 business days, AB 253 lets you hire a certified private plan checker to force a 10-business-day decision.
Reduced-fee packages for single-family sites: ≤900 sq ft ADUs get 50% plan check, RIF exemption, 25% cut on certain city permit fees, $1,000 C&D deposit. Broader waivers available with executed Housing Agreement or City Standard Plan use.
SB 543: No impact fees on ADUs ≤750 sq ft. Above 750 sq ft, fees scale to the ratio of ADU size vs the main home.
Visit the official Pasadena ADU page (link in hero) for current eligibility and downloads.
Standard ADUs in Pasadena: no owner-occupancy required (made permanent in 2023).
JADUs: limited to 500 sq ft of interior livable space within an existing single-family home. Owner occupancy is required only when sanitation facilities are shared with the main house. JADUs cannot be used as short-term rentals (AB 1154 / SB 543).
Sketch a floorplan, walk through it in 3D, and have our planners review it for size, height, and setback compliance before you submit to Pasadena.
Heads up: Local rules change frequently. This page summarizes publicly available state law (California Government Code §§ 66310–66342) and current local guidance for general planning purposes. Always confirm specifics with the Pasadena planning desk before submitting plans. ADUMetrics does not provide legal advice.