City of Bell Gardens ADU Regulations

Everything you need to know about building Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Bell Gardens, CA.

Overview

With the passage of Senate Bill 1069, which went into effect January 1, 2017, it’s now easier than ever to build an ADU in Bell Gardens, CA. The law was prompted by escalating housing prices.

Building an ADU is a great way to add extra living space to your home, but the process can be complex and confusing. At Vision ADU, we specialize in helping homeowners in Bell Gardens build beautiful and functional ADUs. We’ll work with you to figure out the best design for your needs and budget, pull all the required permits, and manage the construction process from start to finish.

Type of ADUs

The following type of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are allowed in Bell Gardens, California.

 Attached ADU

An Attacched ADU connects to an existing house, typically through the construction of an addition along the home’s side or rear.

Detached ADU

An Attacched ADU connects to an existing house, typically through the construction of an addition along the home’s side or rear.

Garage Conversion

An Attacched ADU connects to an existing house, typically through the construction of an addition along the home’s side or rear.

Junior ADU

An Attacched ADU connects to an existing house, typically through the construction of an addition along the home’s side or rear.

Bell Gardens Property Requirements

Several rules and regulations must be followed when building an ADU in Bell Gardens. These include:

Number of ADUs Allowed

Single-family lots can build 1 attached ADU or 1 detached ADU with 1 JADU. Multi-family lots are allowed a maxium of 2 detached ADUs.

ADU Size

850 square feet of floor area for a studio/1 bedroom. 1,000 square feet for 2 bedrooms (no more than two bedrooms are allowed)

Height Limit

The maximum height is 16 feet, measured to the top of the roof ridge, and the unit shall not exceed one story.

Number of Bedrooms Allowed

Allows 2 bedrooms.

Setbacks

4 feet from the property line is the minimum side and rear setbacks required for an attached or detached ADU. There are no minimum setbacks requirements for garage conversions or JADUs unless it is needed to ensure fire safety.

Owner Occupancy

JADUs are subject to an owner-occupancy requirement, the property owner must live on the property. All other ADUs built in Bell Gardens after January 1, 2020, but before January 1, 2025, are not subject to any owner-occupancy requirement.

Rental Guidelines

You can rent out your ADU on a long-term basis. Short-term rentals such as Airbnb or anything less than 30 days may not be allowed in your neighborhood.

Bell Gardens is a great place to live for many reasons. For one, there are plenty of places to explore. The city has several parks, including Gage Park and Bell Gardens Park, and it’s also home to the Los Angeles River Bike Path.