Los Angeles County

Lomita ADU rules

Research summary of what we found for City of Lomita in Los Angeles County. Not a determination for a specific lot.

Last checked November 3, 2026.

City or county ADU page

Lomita Planning department. No ADU-specific page was found.

How big can an ADU be in Lomita?

Maximum size
ADUs other than the state-protected types may be up to 850 sq ft for a studio or one bedroom, or 1,000 sq ft with two or more bedrooms. An attached ADU on a lot with an existing home is also limited to 50% of the home's floor area. Floor area (60% of the lot), lot coverage (80% in R2 and R3 zones), front setback and open space rules cannot shrink an ADU below 800 sq ft.
Source: Lomita Ordinance No. 883 (adopted February 17, 2026), Exhibit A: Municipal Code § 11-1.30.06, in the City Council packet of February 17, 2026, § 11-1.30.06(E)(1)(b), (G)(1)-(2), (G)(4), accessed 2026-11-03.

ADU setbacks in Lomita

Setbacks
New ADUs need 4 ft side and rear setbacks. ADUs larger than the 800 sq ft state-protected size also need a 20 ft front setback, but that cannot shrink an ADU below 800 sq ft. No setback is needed for an ADU built in the same place and to the same size as an existing structure. Conversions need only the side and rear setbacks that building and fire codes require.
Source: Lomita Ordinance No. 883 (adopted February 17, 2026), Exhibit A: Municipal Code § 11-1.30.06, in the City Council packet of February 17, 2026, § 11-1.30.06(E)(1)(a)-(b), (G)(3), accessed 2026-11-03.

What we found for Lomita

What we have for this place. Where a local figure is stricter than the California state baseline, both are shown.

Local ADU rules
Lomita's ADU rules are in Municipal Code § 11-1.30.06, rewritten by Ordinance No. 883 (adopted February 17, 2026, in effect 30 days later) to match the 2026 changes to state ADU law. It replaced Urgency Ordinance No. 879 (December 16, 2025). ADU and JADU permits are reviewed ministerially, without a hearing. The City decides whether an application is complete within 15 business days and acts on a complete application within 60 days.
Source: Lomita Ordinance No. 883 (adopted February 17, 2026), Exhibit A: Municipal Code § 11-1.30.06, in the City Council packet of February 17, 2026, § 11-1.30.06(A), (D)(3); Ord. 883 §§ 5-6, accessed 2026-11-03.

ADU types under state law
On a single-family lot: one ADU and one JADU inside the home (or the ADU inside an accessory structure, with up to 150 sq ft added for entry and exit), plus one new detached ADU up to 800 sq ft with 4 ft side and rear setbacks. On a multifamily lot: converted ADUs in non-livable space (at least one, up to 25% of the existing units), plus detached ADUs with 4 ft side and rear setbacks (up to 2 with a proposed multifamily building, or up to 8 with an existing one, not more than the number of existing units).
Source: Lomita Ordinance No. 883 (adopted February 17, 2026), Exhibit A: Municipal Code § 11-1.30.06, in the City Council packet of February 17, 2026, § 11-1.30.06(E)(1), accessed 2026-11-03.

Height
A detached ADU may be 16 ft. It may be 18 ft within a half mile walk of a major transit stop or high-quality transit corridor (plus up to 2 ft, to 20 ft, to match the main home's roof pitch), or 18 ft on a lot with a multifamily building of more than one story. An attached ADU may be 25 ft or the zone's limit for the main home, whichever is lower, and no more than two stories. Other ADUs larger than the state-protected types may have only one story. An ADU over at-grade parking may reach the main-home height limit, with a recorded deed restriction (south of Pacific Coast Highway this needs a Height Variation Permit).
Source: Lomita Ordinance No. 883 (adopted February 17, 2026), Exhibit A: Municipal Code § 11-1.30.06, in the City Council packet of February 17, 2026, § 11-1.30.06(F)(2), (G)(8), accessed 2026-11-03.

Parking
The state-protected ADU types have no parking rule in the code. Other ADUs need one off-street space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less; it may be in setback areas or tandem. No space is needed within a half mile walk of public transit, in a historic district, for an ADU that is part of the home or an accessory structure, where on-street permits are required but not offered, within one block of a car share stop, or when the ADU is filed with a new home. Garage, carport or uncovered spaces removed for an ADU do not have to be replaced.
Source: Lomita Ordinance No. 883 (adopted February 17, 2026), Exhibit A: Municipal Code § 11-1.30.06, in the City Council packet of February 17, 2026, § 11-1.30.06(G)(6), accessed 2026-11-03.

Design rules for larger ADUs
ADUs outside the state-protected types must use the main home's exterior materials and colors and match its dominant roof slope, use down-lighting, have their own exterior entrance and interior dimensions of at least 10 ft in every direction. Windows and doors may not have a direct line of sight into a neighbor's lot, and those less than 30 ft from a side or rear lot line must use high clerestory or frosted glass. An ADU that does not meet these objective standards may still be allowed with a conditional use permit.
Source: Lomita Ordinance No. 883 (adopted February 17, 2026), Exhibit A: Municipal Code § 11-1.30.06, in the City Council packet of February 17, 2026, § 11-1.30.06(G)(7), (J), accessed 2026-11-03.

Junior ADUs
A JADU may be up to 500 sq ft inside an existing or proposed single-family home (an attached garage counts), with an efficiency kitchen. If it has no bathroom of its own, it needs an interior door to the home plus its own exterior entrance. The owner must live on the lot only when the JADU shares a bathroom with the home. A recorded deed restriction is required before occupancy. JADUs are allowed only on single-family-zoned lots.
Source: Lomita Ordinance No. 883 (adopted February 17, 2026), Exhibit A: Municipal Code § 11-1.30.06, in the City Council packet of February 17, 2026, § 11-1.30.06(C)(5), (F)(1)(c), (F)(7)-(8), accessed 2026-11-03.

Fees, utilities and rental term
No impact fees for a JADU or an ADU under 750 sq ft; larger ADUs pay in proportion to the main home's size. JADUs and ADUs converted inside a single-family home or accessory structure need no new utility connection or connection fee unless built with a new home; other ADUs need a separate connection for City-provided utilities, with a proportional fee. Fire sprinklers are needed only if the main home needs them. ADUs and JADUs may be rented for 30 days or more and may not be sold separately except as state law allows. No owner occupancy is required for ADUs.
Source: Lomita Ordinance No. 883 (adopted February 17, 2026), Exhibit A: Municipal Code § 11-1.30.06, in the City Council packet of February 17, 2026, § 11-1.30.06(F)(3)-(5), (F)(7)(a), (H), accessed 2026-11-03.

California state rules

The statewide baseline recorded from state law and the HCD ADU Handbook.

Detached size cap described in state law
1,200 sq ft. From Government Code section 66314.
Source: California Government Code section 66314, 66314, accessed 2026-10-16.

Side and rear setback cap for a new ADU
4 ft. From Government Code section 66314, which describes a cap on side and rear setbacks for a new ADU.
Source: California Government Code section 66314, 66314, accessed 2026-10-16.

Setback for a conversion of an existing structure
No additional setback, from Government Code section 66314 for a conversion of an existing structure.
Source: California Government Code section 66314, 66314, accessed 2026-10-16.

Minimum lot size
A city may not impose a minimum lot size for an ADU, from Government Code section 66314.
Source: California Government Code section 66314, 66314, accessed 2026-10-16.

Minimum unit the handbook says cities must allow
At least an 800 sq ft ADU with 4 ft side and rear setbacks. The HCD ADU Handbook (updated March 2026) describes this under section 66321(b)(3).
Source: HCD ADU Handbook, 66321(b)(3); handbook updated March 2026, accessed 2026-10-16.

Detached height described in the handbook
16 ft, or 18 ft or 20 ft in some cases. The HCD ADU Handbook (updated March 2026) describes this under section 66321(b)(4).
Source: HCD ADU Handbook, 66321(b)(4); handbook updated March 2026, accessed 2026-10-16.

Permit decision deadline
60 days. From Government Code section 66317(a)(3): the permitting agency must decide on (approve or deny) a completed ADU application within 60 days when an existing single-family or multifamily dwelling is on the lot. Section 66317(a)(1) says the application is considered ministerially, without discretionary review or a hearing.
Source: California Government Code section 66317, 66317(a)(1), (a)(3), accessed 2026-10-17.

Owner-occupancy requirement
None. From Government Code section 66315: a local agency may not impose an owner-occupancy requirement on an ADU. It may require that the property be used for rentals of terms 30 days or longer. The HCD ADU Handbook (updated March 2026) describes the same rule.
Source: California Government Code section 66315, 66315; HCD ADU Handbook updated March 2026, accessed 2026-10-17.

Parking near public transit
No parking standards within one-half mile walking distance of public transit. From Government Code section 66322(a)(1). Section 66322(a) lists several other cases where parking standards may not be imposed.
Source: California Government Code section 66322, 66322(a), accessed 2026-10-17.

Ministerial categories
The HCD ADU Handbook (updated March 2026) states that Government Code section 66323 sets four ministerial categories. What we have does not restate those four categories.
Source: HCD ADU Handbook, 66323; handbook updated March 2026, accessed 2026-10-16.

Fire Hazard Severity Zones
If your lot is in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone, the CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal says in Information Bulletin 25-004 (issued March 3, 2025): “Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs) should not restrict the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). However, additional building standards may be necessary, including but not limited to California Fire Code Chapter 49 and California Building Code Chapter 7A.” State ADU law does not itself bar an ADU there. A city or county may still apply its building code, including wildfire-resistant construction (Gov. Code 66314(d)(8)); require side and rear setbacks “sufficient for fire and safety” for a unit converted under 66323(a)(1); and decline parking in setbacks on specific fire and life safety findings (66314(d)(10)(B)). It may also consider public safety when it designates where ADUs may be permitted (66314(a)). Sprinklers can't be required in an ADU or JADU if the primary residence doesn't need them (66314(d)(12), 66323(d)). Some cities and counties still apply their own fire-zone limits. Where this summary has one, it is listed with the local rules. This summary does not look up your lot. Check the CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone map viewer linked from the State Fire Marshal's Fire Hazard Severity Zones page: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/5065c998b4b0462f9ec3c6c226c610a9
Source: CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal Information Bulletin 25-004, page 4, issued March 3, 2025; Gov. Code 66314, 66323, accessed 2026-10-20.

Starting January 1, 2027: two detached ADUs
Starting January 1, 2027, AB 956 (Chapter 791, Statutes of 2026) raises from one to two the number of new detached ADUs a city or county must allow, without discretionary review, on a lot with a proposed or existing single-family home (Gov. Code 66323(a)). Each may be held to 800 sq ft, 4 ft side and rear setbacks and the state height limits. The city or county does not have to also allow a JADU on a lot where two new detached ADUs have been built. AB 956 also makes HOA and deed rules that effectively prohibit or unreasonably restrict an ADU or JADU void on any lot zoned to allow a single-family home, not only lots zoned for single-family use (Civil Code 4751 and 714.3).
Source: AB 956 (2025-2026), Chapter 791, Statutes of 2026, Gov. Code 66323; Civil Code 714.3, 4751; signed September 29, 2026, accessed 2026-11-03.

Starting January 1, 2027: impact fees above 750 sq ft
No impact fee may be charged on an ADU of 750 sq ft or less, or a JADU of 500 sq ft or less (Gov. Code 66311.5(c)). Starting January 1, 2027, SB 1117 (Chapter 809, Statutes of 2026) changes how fees are figured for larger ADUs: for up to two ADUs on a lot, the proportional impact fee is charged only on the interior livable space above 750 sq ft. On a lot with more than two ADUs, the fee stays proportional to the whole ADU. Utility connection fees and capacity charges are not changed.
Source: SB 1117 (2025-2026), Chapter 809, Statutes of 2026, Gov. Code 66311.5(c); signed September 29, 2026, accessed 2026-11-03.

State baseline on the directory → · State ADU rules on the homepage →

ADU rules near Lomita

Rolling Hills · about 3 miles
Redondo Beach · about 6 miles
Palos Verdes Estates · about 6 miles
Lawndale · about 7 miles
Gardena · about 7 miles

Can I build an ADU in Lomita?

State law sets a baseline for ADUs in Lomita, and what we found locally is listed on this page. Whether a specific lot can add an ADU depends on zoning, utilities, and other site facts this page does not measure. Confirm with the City of Lomita Community and Economic Development Department (Planning Division), or run a free address summary.

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