License: No. #1076712
Discover what you can build in the City of Hawaiian Gardens. This city guide covers essential Custom Home regulations and zoning laws to help you navigate the process and make informed decisions for your property.
Up to one Custom Home and one JCustom Home can be built on a single-family lot in Hawaiian Gardens.
Multifamily property owners in Hawaiian Gardens may convert existing uninhabitable space into at least one Custom Home, and additional Homes not to exceed a maximum number equal to 25% of the existing units. Ergo:
No more than two detached Homes may be constructed on a multifamily lot in Hawaiian Gardens.
In Hawaiian Gardens, a detached Custom Home can be no more than 1,000 square feet, with no more than two bedrooms.
An attached Custom Home in Hawthorne can be up to 1,000 square feet, or 50% of the size of the primary dwelling unit, whichever is smaller.
A Custom Home in Hawaiian Gardens may be up to 30 feet or two stories in height, whichever is less.
Yes, a two-story Custom Home can be permitted in Hawaiian Gardens.
On multifamily, where more than one Custom Home may be permitted, it may be possible to have two Homes “stacked” one on top of the other, with one Custom Home on each story.
Two Homes are only permitted on multifamily property. Hawaiian Gardens regulations do not specify the configurations, and two attached Homes may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.
No, a JCustom Home is defined as A Custom Home converted from existing space within the main structure of the primary dwelling unit. As such, it cannot be attached to A Custom Home.
Generally roof decks would be permitted on A Custom Home, but must meet the height restrictions for the zone. Roof decks cannot encroach into the required setbacks. As a rule of thumb, railings and access staircases above 42″ need to be included in height calculations.
In Hawaiian Gardens the Custom Home must match the architectural design of the proposed or existing structure. This includes using the same exterior material, roof material, color, and architectural details of the main dwelling unit.
Homes behind the primary dwelling unit in Hawaiian Gardens require a minimum of 4-foot side and rear setbacks.
Hawaiian Gardens does not specify specific building separation for Homes from the primary dwelling unit or other structures. Enough separation must be maintained to comply with fire codes and reduce the risk of fires spreading from one building to another. Separation requirements will be determined in the planning stage.
Hawaiian Gardens regulations don’t specifically prohibit Homes in the front yard, but stipulations that new construction preserve the curb appeal of the neighborhood typically err strongly in favor of permitting Homes for back and side yards only.
No, plans can be submitted online to the Hawaiian Gardens Building & Safety Division by email to [email protected].
Hawaiian Gardens may require a soils report for Custom Home permitting to make sure the soil can support the new structure, especially if the Custom Home will be located on a hillside, an area with significant grading, or if there are special foundation requirements.
Hawaiian Gardens specifies no specific requirements for “green” space or permeable surface on your landscaping when constructing A Custom Home. However, green space and permeable surface may become an issue in the approval process if the Custom Home covers a significant portion of the lot.
The plan check requires a review by the Community Development Department for zoning, building standards, and safety compliance. The process takes approximately 3 weeks.
Hawaiian Gardens requires one new parking space be added per new Custom Home. However, if the property is within one mile of a public transit stop and/or if the Custom Home or JCustom Home in question is being converted from existing space within the main dwelling unit, the Custom Home is exempt from the requirement of extra parking.
If a parking space must be added, it can be included on the driveway or any setback areas, and it may be configured as tandem parking.
Per Title 24 of the California Energy Code, solar panels of appropriate size and capacity are mandatory on new-construction Homes. Homes built from converted existing structures are exempt, as may be Homes located under significant shading. Smaller Homes may be subject to reduced or modified solar panel requirements.
A Custom Home is not required to have a separate water or electrical meter. You can opt for the Custom Home to share service with the main dwelling unit. However, you can request separate water or electrical meters from the City of Hawaiian Gardens.
Hawaiian Gardens does not automatically assign a new Custom Home its own address. However, it may assign the Custom Home a new address if it is intended for rental or independent occupancy. The Custom Home will usually get a “½” designation — for example, A Custom Home located behind 1234 Pine Street would have the address “1234½ Pine Street.”
Low Impact Development (LID) is an approach to land development or redevelopment that seeks to preserve and conserve onsite water quality and natural features, with minimal detrimental effect to local waterways and ecosystems. Hawaiian Gardens may require LID fees for larger Homes.
Hawaiian Gardens does not specifically prohibit the use of A Custom Home as an Airbnb or short-term rental. However, local land-use ordinances tend to favor the use of Homes as long-term rentals or owner-occupied units.
Per the Costa-Hawkins Act of 1995, Hawaiian Gardens does not impose rent control on dwellings constructed after February 1, 1995. This means most new-build Homes are exempt. However, if the primary dwelling unit is subject to rent control, it might apply to the Custom Home as well.
While encouraging the use of electric appliances for efficiency and sustainability, Altadena does not prohibit gas appliances in new Homes as long as all relevant installation and safety standards are met.
In Hawaiian Gardens you are only required to install sprinklers in a new Custom Home if the primary dwelling unit has them as well. You may also be required to install them if the Custom Home is located within a special fire hazard zone.
