Is building an ADU a good investment in Burbank?

Definitely! ADU’s in Burbank present an excellent opportunity for additional rental income especially that owner occupancy is not required. While the construction costs range from $300-$450 per square foot, and factoring in a few thousand dollars in development fees, the current average market value for a square foot of living space in Burbank is near $1000. This makes ADU’s a compelling investment.

Burbank Accessory Dwelling Unit Requirements.

Burbank’s flat residential blocks make it an ideal location for Accessory Dwelling Unit development. The City of Burbank has recently revised its ADU ordinance to align with the latest state laws.

General ADU requirements

In Burbank, there is no minimum size requirement for your property to have an ADU. However the smallest ADU size is 150 SF.  It can be detached, attached or a JADU. Typically, it is a requirement for your ADU design to match or align with  the primary residence.

For independent living your ADU must be equipped with: Exterior access separate from primary residence, Living, Sleeping, Dining, Cooking, and Bathing.

The kitchen must have at minimum the following: A sink, a refrigerator, a cooktop or range and cabinetry.

JADU can share a bathroom with the primary residence.

Zoning

All zones single-family and multi-family most probably are eligible for ADU’s.

Number of Units

  • One ADU + One JADU in lots zoned single-family
  • Two attached or two detached ADU’s in lots zoned multi-family
  • For multi-family, the number of converted units cannot exceed 25% of total number of dwelling units.

Building Size

  • JADU, maximum 500 SF
  • One-bedroom/studio detached ADU, maximum 850 SF
  • 850-1000 SF must have two bedrooms minimum
  • Attached ADU, 800 SF or 50% of primary residence (whichever is greater)
  • Attached ADU’s at any case cannot exceed 1000 SF
  • In high fire hazard zones, the maximum ADU area is 800 SF

Building Height

  • Detached ADUs not constructed atop another ADU are limited to one story with a maximum height of 12 ft to the top of the plate and 17 ft to the top of the roof or its highest point.
  • Attached ADUs are restricted to a height limit of 20 ft to the top of the plate and 30 ft to the top of the roof or its highest point.
  • Detached ADUs constructed atop a garage, accessory structure, or another ADU have a limit of 20 ft to the top of the plate and 23 ft to the top of the roof or its highest point.

Setbacks

Conversion ADUs can maintain existing setbacks, provided they are legal and comply with the minimum setback requirements.

Detached and attached ADUs must adhere to minimum setbacks of 4 ft from the side and rear lot lines. ADUs constructed atop garages or other accessory structures necessitate setbacks of 5 ft from the side and rear lot lines.

The walls of the ADU must maintain a distance of at least 5 ft from the walls of other structures, and the gap between roofs should be no less than 4 ft from eave-to-eave.

A newly constructed detached ADU’s exterior walls must be at least 6 ft apart from the exterior walls of any adjacent dwellings.

Parking

Your ADU is exempt from parking in the following situations:

  • Your property is situated on a street where a parking permit is mandatory.
  • You property is within 1/2 mile of public transportation
  • Your property is less than a block away from a care share area
  • Your property is situated in an area of architectural or historical significance

If your ADU is not excluded from parking obligations, then it is necessary to provide either one parking space or a tandem parking space facilitated by a mechanical parking lift.

On-site parking can be positioned anywhere on the property, provided it is situated farther from the front property line than the primary dwelling.

Fees

The exact number of fees depends on the zoning of your lot and the overall scope of your ADU project. This is a list of some of the typical fees you can expect to pay.

  • Plan Check fees
  • City Impact Fees (ADU’s 750 SF and more)
  • School Impact Fees
  • Building Code and Green Code Fees
  • Permit Fees

Sprinkler System

If you do not have or were not required to add a sprinkler system to your primary residence, then most probably you will not need one in your ADU. However if you do not have a sprinkler system in place, in high fire hazard zones you may need to make other fire safety accommodations.

Owner Occupancy

Up until January 1, 2025, owner occupancy is not a requirement for permitting an ADU. Owners are required to live on the property only if a JADU has been constructed on it.

Rental Limitations

Short-term rentals under 30 days are not allowed in Burbank.

< All ADU Regulations