Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in Glendale, Arizona
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a secondary living unit on the same lot as a single-family detached dwelling, with a kitchenette or kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area. Glendale permits one attached ADU and one detached ADU per single-family lot (or up to two detached ADUs on lots one acre or more if one is deed-restricted as affordable housing). ADUs must not exceed 1,000 square feet. A Zoning Clearance Letter from the Planning Division is required before submitting construction documents. All ADUs must have separate utility meters (including a separate city water meter from the main dwelling).
Verified 2026-06-29 · Source
When you need this permit
- A Zoning Clearance Letter (reviewed and approved by the Planning Division) is required before submitting construction documents or permit applications; contact Planning at 623-930-2800
- ADU must not exceed 1,000 square feet
- All ADUs must have separate utility meters, including a separate city water meter (requires a new water tap to the city main; work in the right-of-way requires additional permits and a specially licensed contractor)
- No more than one attached ADU and one detached ADU per lot; on lots one acre or more, up to two detached ADUs if one is recorded as a restricted-affordable unit
- ADU setbacks: rear and side setbacks of no less than 5 feet; front setback per zoning district requirements
- ADU shall not be sold or conveyed separately from the primary dwelling
- ADU shall not have a separate street address; it shares the primary dwelling's address with a Unit 1 or Unit 2 suffix
- A detached ADU pays Single Family (one unit per structure) Building, Water & Sewer impact fees; an attached ADU pays Multifamily (2+ units per structure) impact fees
- ADUs may not be constructed before the primary single-family dwelling unit
Required documents
- Req
Accessory Dwelling Unit Requirements and Updates (revised 9/8/2025)
Glendale's official ADU requirements document including UDC Section 35.3.204, fee estimates, and significant UDC changes (Dec 2023 and Dec 2024). Sign and submit prior to Zoning Clearance Letter application. Available on the Residential PDF forms page.
- Req
Permit/Plan Review Application — Residential (2026)
Current residential permit application used for ADU construction permits
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning Clearance Letter (Planning Division) | Contact Planning Division at 623-930-2800 for current fee; rough estimate table in the ADU document lists $144.00 | ADU Requirements document (revised 9/8/2025) rough fee estimate table shows Zoning Clearance Letter (ZCL) at $144.00. This is a rough estimate; confirm current fee with the Planning Division. |
| Building Safety Plan Review (per ADU rough estimate) | Approximately $1,052.90 for a 1,000 sq ft detached or attached ADU (rough estimate only) | ADU Requirements document (revised 9/8/2025) rough fee estimate table. This is an estimate; actual fee is based on Table 3A valuation. |
| Building permit — valuation-based (Table 3A) | Based on construction valuation per Table 3A (e.g. for a $100,000–$500,000 ADU: $1,257.16 for first $100,000 plus $7.07 per additional $1,000) | City of Glendale Fee Schedule, Table 3A (effective May 10, 2019). Actual ADU permit fee based on the construction valuation determined by the Building Official. |
| Water & Sewer impact fees (detached ADU) | Single Family (one unit per structure) Building, Water & Sewer impact fees; see current Impact Fee Schedule | ADU Requirements document (revised 9/8/2025). Impact Fee Schedule is published separately (see Impact Fee Schedule PDF, revised 6/3/2026). |
Review timeline
~15–25 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Glendale building department
Inspection process
- 1
Foundation / Footing (detached ADU)
Before concrete is poured for the ADU's footings
- 2
Rough Framing and Trades
After rough framing, rough electrical, plumbing, and mechanical complete; before insulation and drywall
- 3
Final
When all work is complete per approved plans and Zoning Clearance Letter requirements
Tips
- A Zoning Clearance Letter from the Planning Division (623-930-2800) must be approved BEFORE submitting construction documents or a permit application.
- All ADUs require a separate city water meter — this involves a new water tap in the city main, which requires additional permits and a specially licensed contractor.
- ADUs may not exceed 1,000 square feet.
- ADU is addressed as a suffix (Unit 1/Unit 2) of the primary dwelling address; no separate street address.
- ADU requirements were significantly updated by the Glendale Unified Development Code adopted December 12, 2023 and amended December 10, 2024.
- Impact fee requirements differ for detached ADUs (single-family rates) versus attached ADUs (multifamily rates).
Frequently asked questions
- Can I build an ADU in Glendale?
- Yes. Glendale permits up to one attached and one detached ADU per single-family lot. ADUs must not exceed 1,000 square feet. A Zoning Clearance Letter from the Planning Division is required before submitting construction plans. All ADUs must have separate utility meters. Source: Glendale ADU Requirements and Updates document (revised 9/8/2025, based on UDC Section 35.3.204 as amended December 10, 2024).
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-29.
- City of Glendale Development Services — official building department
- Accessory Dwelling Unit Requirements and Updates (revised 9/8/2025) — PDF (135KB)
- Residential PDF Forms | City of Glendale Building Safety (links to ADU document)
- City of Glendale Community Development Fee Schedule (effective May 10, 2019) — PDF
- Impact Fee Schedule (revised 6/3/2026) — PDF
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Glendale building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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