Los Angeles County · California
Manhattan Beach ADU guide: local rules, permits & property planning
Manhattan Beach’s ADU process requires attention to the Coastal Zone and recently adopted code amendments. The City warns that some adopted text is not yet incorporated into its online code viewer.
Local planning guide · Reviewed October 2, 2026
What matters for an ADU in Manhattan Beach
Permitting authority: City of Manhattan Beach — ADU and JADU guidance
Official local guidanceLocal rules and design checks
| Topic | Local guidance |
|---|---|
| Current ordinance | Check the City’s adopted amendments as well as the online Municipal Code; Planning flags a publication lag. |
| Coastal status | A coastal permit is required for Coastal Zone work unless an exemption or exclusion applies. Confirm the applicable ADU coastal rules with Planning. |
| Application path | Use the City ADU Handout and any coastal application instructions before assembling the Building package. |
Selected local requirements, not a complete zoning determination. Confirm the current rules for your address with the responsible agency.
Fees and budget checks
Planning publishes a fee schedule effective July 1, 2026. Manhattan Beach also adopted development-impact fees in 2026; ask which categories and exemptions apply to the ADU rather than using an older all-in figure.
Manhattan Beach Planning forms and current fee scheduleHow to start the permit process
Check the parcel’s coastal status, confirm the current ordinance with Planning and prepare the ADU plus any coastal materials. Use Building’s master-plan instructions only if the selected design qualifies.
Municipal application resource
Manhattan Beach AB 1332 master-plan instructions
The Building forms library publishes a Pre-Approved ADU Master Plan Program handout. It describes a submission route, not approval of every vendor design.
View the original sourceManhattan Beach ADU questions
- Is the online code viewer enough to check current rules?
- The City warns some adopted amendments have not yet been uploaded; check its ordinance notices with Planning.
- Is every coastal project exempt because it is an ADU?
- Do not assume that. Confirm the coastal permit, exemption or exclusion applicable to the parcel.
Sources for this guide
- City of Manhattan Beach — ADU and JADU guidance
- Manhattan Beach Planning forms and current fee schedule
- Manhattan Beach AB 1332 master-plan instructions
- Manhattan Beach zoning amendment notices
- Manhattan Beach development-impact fees
Local sources reviewed October 2, 2026. Historical examples retain their stated dates. Contact ADU California to confirm project availability; this guide does not establish an office location or property approval.
A useful first review
Separate what is available from what still needs verification.
01
Confirm the property
Start with a complete address and review the available parcel, building, and map context.
02
Identify the unknowns
Keep missing setbacks, easements, utilities, access, hazards, and local requirements visible.
03
Choose the next review
Use the preliminary result to prepare a focused conversation with the required professionals and agencies.
Explore project types
Compare the scope before choosing a solution.
These pages explain the questions each project type introduces. They do not assert that a particular scope is permitted or suitable for your address.
Compare planning footprints
See common ADU sizes before choosing a design.
These model pages are planning references only. They are not a statement that a particular size is allowed or buildable at a Manhattan Beach address.
California directory
Explore more city guides.
The next useful action
Put your address at the center of the conversation.
The online review is preliminary and is not a permit decision, survey, engineering opinion, construction document, final price, or guaranteed schedule.