Permits & Laws — City of Long Beach
City of Long Beach ADU Permits in 2026: PAADU, Checklist & Timelines
Long Beach has one of the fastest ADU paths in Southern California: its Pre-Approved ADU Program (PAADU) can get you a building permit the same day, over the counter. Add no owner-occupancy requirement and state-law parking exemptions, and a backyard unit becomes very doable — as long as you know the document checklist and the coastal-zone rules. This guide walks Long Beach homeowners through PAADU, the submittal package, size and setback rules, fees, and the 2026 state-law deadlines.
What this guide covers
PAADU: Long Beach's same-day permit path
The City's Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit Program (PAADU) offers ready-made ADU designs whose plans and permit applications can be approved Over-The-Counter (OTC) at the Permit Center, with the Planning and Building & Safety Bureaus assisting. Upon approval, a building permit can be issued the same day — the design review is already done, so you skip weeks of plan check. Details are in the City's IB-068 PAADU Information Bulletin.
Planning is your first step: PAADUs still must comply with Long Beach ADU regulations for your specific lot, so confirm zoning, coastal, and historic status before you commit to a model. (Note: the City has said the PAADU program is being updated, so check the Permit Center for the current plan catalog.)
The ADU submittal checklist
Whether you use a PAADU design or custom plans, Long Beach reviews a standard construction document set. Plans are submitted in person at the Permit Center as a digital PDF on a USB drive, and plan-check fees are due the same day. Your package should include:
- Site plan
- Floor plan
- Roof plan
- Foundation plan
- Framing plan
- Exterior elevations
- Cross sections
- Schedules (door, window, finish, etc.)
- Construction details
- Structural and energy calculations
Size, setbacks, height & parking
| Rule | City of Long Beach standard (2026) |
|---|---|
| Maximum size | Up to 1,200 sq ft for a detached ADU. Every lot is allowed at least one ADU up to 800 sq ft regardless of lot size or floor-area ratio. |
| Setbacks | 4 ft from side and rear property lines for attached and detached ADUs. |
| Height | At least 16 ft for a detached ADU on a single-family lot; 18 ft when within a half-mile of public transit (plus an allowance to match the main home in some cases). |
| Parking | Generally one off-street space, but waived within a half-mile of public transit, for garage conversions, in historic districts, and several other cases — so many Long Beach ADUs need no parking. |
| Owner occupancy | Not required for an ADU at a single-family or multi-family home; Long Beach has not reinstated a local rule. |
Coastal Zone & historic districts
Two local overlays catch a lot of Long Beach homeowners off guard:
- Coastal Zone: you must obtain an administrative (no-hearing) Local Coastal Development Permit before submitting your building permit application. It's ministerial for code-compliant ADUs, but it's a required extra step — start with the Coastal Zone Map.
- Historic districts: design review may apply. If you're unsure whether your property is affected, submit the City's Planning & Zoning Inquiry Form before designing.
2026 timelines & state law
| Law / path | Effect | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| PAADU (Over-The-Counter) | Now | Pre-approved designs can be permitted the same day at the Permit Center. |
| Pre-approved plans (AB 1332) | Jan 1, 2025 | Pre-approved ADU plans must be approved within 30 days. |
| SB 543 | Jan 1, 2026 | The City has 15 days to determine whether your application is complete; miss it and it's deemed complete. |
| 60-day rule | State law | A complete, code-compliant ADU must be approved within 60 days, ministerially — no public hearings. |
Fees and exemptions
Long Beach ADUs pay plan-check and building-permit fees (due at submittal), with the key state-law break intact: ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from development impact fees; larger ADUs pay fees proportional to the primary dwelling. Because PAADU plans remove the architectural and structural design cost, they're often the cheapest route overall. See the City's Building & Safety Fee Schedule for current amounts.
How to apply
Long Beach handles ADU permits through its Permit Center at 411 W. Ocean Blvd. To keep things moving:
- Start with Planning and confirm zoning, coastal, and historic status (Planning & Zoning Inquiry Form) before designing.
- Consider a PAADU design for a potential same-day, over-the-counter permit.
- Bring a complete plan set on a USB drive (digital PDF) and be ready to pay plan-check fees the same day.
- Resolve the Coastal Development Permit first if you're in the Coastal Zone.
Thinking about a backyard ADU?
See how a pre-engineered, code-ready structure can speed up your Long Beach permit and your build.
Explore ADU optionsFrequently asked questions
How fast can I get an ADU permit in Long Beach?
With a Pre-Approved ADU (PAADU) design, plans and the permit application can be approved over the counter and a building permit issued the same day. Custom plans fall under the 30-day pre-approved or 60-day state caps.
How big can an ADU be in Long Beach?
Detached ADUs can be up to 1,200 sq ft, and every lot is entitled to at least one ADU up to 800 sq ft regardless of lot size. Setbacks are 4 ft from side and rear lines.
Do I need parking for an ADU in Long Beach?
Often no. Parking is waived within a half-mile of public transit, for garage conversions, in historic districts, and other cases, so many Long Beach ADUs require no parking.
Do I have to live on the property?
No. Owner-occupancy is not required for an ADU at a single-family or multi-family home in Long Beach.
What if my property is in the Coastal Zone?
You'll need an administrative (no-hearing) Local Coastal Development Permit before submitting your building permit application. Check the City's Coastal Zone Map and submit the Planning & Zoning Inquiry Form if unsure.
What documents do I need to submit?
A full set: site plan, floor plan, roof plan, foundation plan, framing plan, exterior elevations, cross sections, schedules, details, and calculations — submitted in person on a USB drive.
Sources & further reading: City of Long Beach — Accessory Dwelling Units · Pre-Approved ADU Program (PAADU) · Long Beach Permit Center · State law summaries: AB 462, AB 1154, AB 1332, and SB 543 (effective 2025–2026).
This guide is for general information and reflects rules as of June 2026. The PAADU program is being updated by the City; always confirm current requirements with Long Beach Community Development for your specific property before submitting.