ADU Builder in Pico Rivera, CA: Permits, Local Rules and Costs

How long does Pico Rivera have to approve a complete ADU application?

State law sets the binding permit timeline. Under Gov. Code 66317(a)(3), a permitting agency shall approve or deny the application to create or serve an accessory dwelling unit within 60 days from the date the agency receives a completed application, and if the agency has not approved or denied the completed application within 60 days the application is deemed approved. Under Gov. Code 66317(a)(2), the permitting agency must tell the applicant in writing within 15 business days whether an ADU application is complete or what items are defective. The City of Pico Rivera Pre-Approved ADU Plan page on pico-rivera.org states that Planning staff will review a complete Pre-Approved ADU Plan application within 2 to 5 business days of submittal and then provide plan check review fees once the application is deemed complete.

What does the Pico Rivera Pre-Approved ADU Plans program cover?

The City of Pico Rivera Pre-Approved ADU Plan page on pico-rivera.org states that the City offers residents an ADU plan designed by the City at no cost and that residents can review the Pre-Approved ADU Plan Submittal Process for a step by step guide. The same page lists the Pre-Approved ADU Plan minimum lot criteria: a residential zoned lot containing an existing or proposed single family residence or multi-family structure, 10 foot separation from habitable structures, 7 foot separation from accessory structures, 4 foot side and rear yard setbacks, and compliance with the front yard setback and lot coverage of the underlying zone. The same page directs applicants to the Pico Rivera Online Permit Page for submittal and to verify easements with Public Works before plan check.

What size, height and setback rules apply to a Pico Rivera detached ADU?

The City of Pico Rivera Accessory Dwelling Unit and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulations handout, version dated January 8, 2026 and published on pico-rivera.org, states that a detached ADU can range between 800 and 1,000 square feet, that a detached ADU may not exceed 16 feet in height and one story, that a new ADU must maintain a minimum 4 foot side and rear yard setback, and that an attached ADU shall not exceed 24 feet or the underlying zoning height limit, whichever is lower, and may not exceed two stories. The same handout states that a minimum ADU is a 150 square foot efficiency unit, that the minimum kitchen is 50 square feet, the minimum bedroom is 70 square feet, and the minimum bathroom is 30 square feet, and that an ADU under 800 square feet in area will not count against the maximum lot coverage requirement.

What parking rules apply to a Pico Rivera ADU?

The City of Pico Rivera ADU Regulations handout, version dated January 8, 2026 and published on pico-rivera.org, states that the City requires one parking space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less, and that these spaces may be provided as tandem parking on a driveway. The handout lists the parking exceptions: an ADU within one-half mile walking distance of public transit, an ADU inside an architecturally and historically significant historic district, an ADU that is part of the proposed or existing primary residence or an accessory structure, lots where on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the ADU occupant, and lots with a car share vehicle within one block. Each parking space must be a minimum 9 feet wide and 20 feet long and must sit on a legally permitted driveway. State law under Gov. Code 66314(d)(10) and 66322(a) sets the same one space per ADU or bedroom ceiling and lists the same half mile transit exception.

What impact fees apply to a Pico Rivera ADU?

State law sets the impact fee floor that every California city has to allow. Under Gov. Code 66311.5(c)(1), a local agency, special district, or water corporation shall not impose any impact fee on an accessory dwelling unit that has 750 square feet of interior livable space or less or on a junior accessory dwelling unit that has 500 square feet of interior livable space or less, and any impact fees charged for an ADU of more than 750 square feet are charged proportionately in relation to the square footage of the primary dwelling. The City of Pico Rivera ADU Regulations handout, version dated January 8, 2026 and published on pico-rivera.org, states that an LA County Sanitation Connection fee receipt is required for ADUs prior to permit issuance and that school fees may apply. The City of Pico Rivera Building and Safety Division page on pico-rivera.org states that fees required for a project are provided by the Building Division upon submission of the application. The same handout requires the proposed ADU to be located within a residential zone, that rental must be for a term longer than thirty days, and that an Address Assignment Letter is required for the proposal of a new address. The same handout limits a Junior ADU to a maximum of 500 square feet and requires owner occupancy in either the primary dwelling or the JADU.

How much does a Pico Rivera ADU cost from L Square?

L Square publishes configured model prices on the cost guide page: $180,000 for Model 600, $240,000 for each of Models 800A and 800B, $295,000 for each of Models 1000A and 1000B, and $354,000 for Model 1200. These are model prices, not a final lot total. Pico Rivera lots also carry the City planning and building permit fees set by the Building Division under the pico-rivera.org Building and Safety Division page, the proportional impact fee on ADUs over 750 square feet under Gov. Code 66311.5, the LA County Sanitation Connection fee required by the ADU Regulations handout, and any utility connection fees from Pico Water District and SCE named in the Pre-Approved ADU Submittal Checklist. The City of Pico Rivera Building and Safety Division page on pico-rivera.org states that the Building Division develops a concurrent plan check review program to expedite the plan check review process.

Official Pico Rivera ADU sources

• The City of Pico Rivera Pre-Approved ADU Plan page on pico-rivera.org states that the City offers residents of Pico Rivera an ADU plan designed by the City at no cost, that Planning staff will review a complete Pre-Approved ADU Plan application within 2 to 5 business days of submittal, and that the 5 step Pre-Approved ADU Plan Submittal Process ends with payment of permit fees and outside agency approvals. Official source
• The City of Pico Rivera Accessory Dwelling Unit and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulations handout, version dated January 8, 2026 and published on pico-rivera.org, states that a detached ADU can range between 800 and 1,000 square feet, that a detached ADU may not exceed 16 feet in height and one story, that a new ADU must maintain a minimum 4 foot side and rear yard setback, that the City requires one parking space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less, and that an LA County Sanitation Connection fee receipt is required for ADUs prior to permit issuance. Official source
• The City of Pico Rivera Pre-Approved ADU Submittal Checklist, updated 3/10/2025 and published on pico-rivera.org, states that the checklist requires the applicant to show distance from the ADU to property lines, verify easements with Public Works prior to submittal, and contact Pico Water District for the new water meter, and that an LA County Sanitation District connection fee is required for sewer connections. Official source
• The City of Pico Rivera Building and Safety Division page on pico-rivera.org states that the Building Division office is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., that fees required for a project are provided by the Building Division upon submission of the application, and that the Building Division develops a concurrent plan check review program to expedite the plan check review process. Official source
• Gov. Code 66311.5(c)(1), hosted on leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, states that a local agency, special district, or water corporation shall not impose any impact fee upon the development of an accessory dwelling unit that has 750 square feet of interior livable space or less or a junior accessory dwelling unit that has 500 square feet of interior livable space or less. Official source
• Gov. Code 66317(a)(3), hosted on leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, states that a permitting agency shall approve or deny the application to create or serve an accessory dwelling unit within 60 days from the date the agency receives a completed application if there is an existing single-family or multifamily dwelling on the lot, and that if the permitting agency has not approved or denied the completed application within 60 days, the application is deemed approved. Official source