On January 1, 2020, the new State of California laws on approval of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) went into effect statewide.  Subsequently, the City has exercised its right to add to the State requirements for local control of ADUs within the City of Palos Verdes Estates.  On October 13, 2020, Palos Verdes Estates City Council adopted Ordinance No. O20-747 to exercise local regulation of ADUs effective November 12, 2020.    The municipal code website has been updated to reflect the new ordinance at https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/PalosVerdesEstates/#!/PalosVerdes18/PalosVerdes1845.html#18.45.

How to submit a request to build your ADU

STEP 1:  Submit a Building Permit for an ADU to the Permitting Division BUILDING@PVESTATES.ORG 

STEP 2:  Once plans & Building Permit fees are received, Planning staff will review the submitted plans to ensure all pertinent information is present.  You may receive “corrections” from Planning staff asking for you to resubmit corrected plans with missing items shown.  Whited-out plans are not accepted.  The “corrections” may also list deficiencies of your plan that may require slight redesign in order to gain approval. 

STEP 3:  You will be notified of 1 of 3 different results from initial Planning review.

Result A:  It requires both a Building Permit & ADU Permit.  Once you submit the new ADU Permit application and fee (available here), Planning will review the plans for conformity with the requirements of an ADU Permit. 

Result B:  It qualifies as “Building Permit Only” and will require no further review by Planning.

Result C:  It requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) prior to Building Permit issuance.  Once you submit a CUP application and fee (available here), Planning staff will carry your project through the established steps for review and approval by Planning Commission.  For details on this process, please visit www.pvestates.org/government/commission-and-committees/planning-commission/conditional-use-permit-process.  Once Planning Commission approves the CUP, there is a 15-day window during which Planning Commission’s decision may be appealed by the applicant or neighbors.

STEP 4:  Gain approval from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sanitation District, So Cal Edison and file copy of recorded deed restriction with the Planning Division.

STEP 5:  Upon Planning approval of the ADU, the Building Permit will then be sent to the Engineering & Building Divisions.

STEP 6: Permit issuance, construction, and inspection.  The unit shall be constructed exactly as shown on the approved set of plans.

STEP 7: Annually submit rent certification form (available here).

All applications, fee amounts, & Planning Commission deadlines are detailed here: https://www.pvestates.org/services/planning/handouts-applications-forms.

STEP

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