Can You Build an ADU on a Beach Front Property?

Dustin Edwards • August 30, 2023

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) can provide a number of opportunities for investors, both experienced and new. Beach city rentals are always in demand, which makes building ADUs to add to your real estate portfolio for an additional income incredibly alluring. 


While in most beach cities, there are limits to the size and location of your ADU. There are different challenges when building an ADU on a beachfront property.


In today’s article, we’ll review the challenges of building an ADU on a beachfront property to see if you can increase your passive income.


Understand your Zoning

Different municipalities have different regulations that must be followed. For example, in Long Beach, ADUs are allowed in all areas zoned for single-family detached housing except for r-3-t and r-4-m, which typically refer to multi-family residential zoning. However, this can change depending on where you are building. It can also significantly affect how wide or tall the ADU can be.


For ADUs built on beachfront properties in California, you also need to be aware of the coastal overlay zones. These zones are often protecting beaches and ocean access points. This can limit your project and options when building in or near these zones. Because these areas are protected, there will likely be more regulations and restrictions when building an ADU on a beachfront property.


While building an ADU on the coastal overlay zones is possible, permits may be more expensive and require more time to process. Some locations on the coastal overlay zones make it unlikely that you will be allowed to build on them. These include:


  • Very High Fire Hazard Areas
  • Wildland Urban Interface Site
  • Hillside Overlay zones
  • Bluff Top Sites
  • Environmentally sensitive habitat areas


Getting the Right Permits

Assuming you’ve already had your ADU designed and drafted, you'll next need to request your building permits. For ADUs built on coastal overlay zones, you'll need more than the typical building permits. You also need a coastal development permit. This means you’ll need two reviews before starting the project. You'll need the standard review required for every ADU in California and the coastal department review for ADUs built on the coastal overlay zone. With some luck, these will happen simultaneously, which can save time. However, this isn’t always the case.


Start Building

Once everything is done with the city and you are allowed to build, purchase the proper material for the job. To ensure the longevity of the new building, it's best practice to keep in mind that you are building on the coast, and many factors can affect the maintenance required in the future. Nearly every surface must be abrasion-resistant as the sand can chip away at wood, metal, and even scratch glass. The salt and moisture can quickly work out of most metals if unprotected. Hardwood decks constructed of cedar, redwood, and ipe are commonly used due to their rot resistance, though they should still be treated regularly to maximize their lifespan. Composite materials such as fiberglass, PVC, and concrete are famous for building near the coast.


Building an ADU on the coast can seem like too much for some people, but the reward of having a second beautiful rental that can provide you with great passive income for years to come is worth it for those who go through with it. If you need help understanding the coastal zones and how to build on them or help manage your current beachfront property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online.

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Beach Rentals Need These 3 Maintenance Items Before Summer Starts

By Dustin Edwards • May 30, 2025
Summer is a great time of year where people enjoy a number of outdoor activities. Though for landlords, summer brings with it a list of maintenance items and preventative care for their properties. Below, we’ve gathered three of the most important maintenance items to do before summer starts. Service your HVAC System Southern California summers are getting hotter and hotter, if you want to maintain tenant satisfaction you’ll need to have the HVAC or any A/C or cooling system properly serviced . Filters should be cleaned or replaced, and the ductwork should be inspected. For rentals with window units or mini-split systems should also be thoroughly inspected as well for optimal cooling. Doing proactive maintenance can reduce the risk of the cooling system breaking down during peak usage while also improving the system’s efficiency. This can lower utility costs for your tenants while extending the lifespan of your cooling system, saving you money in the long run. Additionally, consider inspecting your window and door seals for leaks. If the seals are broken, it allows hot air into the living space, this increases the cost associated with cooling while adding more load to the HVAC or cooling system. While not directly a part of the HVAC system, ensuring there aren’t any breaks in the seals helps extend the lifespan of your cooling system which is beneficial to your bottom line. Inspect your Roof The condition of a roof is oftentimes ignored since they tend to last over twenty years, and some property owners may not even be sure when the roof was last replaced . A poorly conditioned roof is one of the primary ways for a rental property to drive up the costs of repairs and tenant complaints. A damaged roof can inefficiently insulate a home, making it harder to keep it cool. It can also lead to water leaks during rainfall, which can lead to water damage, stains, and mold growth. While summers tend to be dry, the coastal cities such as Long Beach may see unexpected shifts in weather, which can bring sudden rainstorms or increased humidity. Fixing a small roof leak is relatively inexpensive, however, leaving said leak to grow can result in an emergency repair can cost thousands especially if a tenant has already moved in. A thorough roof inspection is a great maintenance item to do during a vacancy period especially as this can result in a positive experience with new tenants. This can lead to a long term stay with many lease renewals. Check for Signs of Pests Pest infestations are one of the fastest ways to ruin a tenant’s stay while also damaging a landlord’s reputation. Pests such as ants, cockroaches, other bugs, and rodents are common in many beach cities, especially during the warmer seasons. Being in a city, you’ll likely never truly be rid of pests, though, even a single complaint about an excess of bugs or rodent droppings can lead to bad reviews online, service calls, and in severe cases, lease termination. These pests not only create an unwelcome environment for your tenants, but they can also cause real damage to your investment property. Cockroaches are known to damage small wiring in appliances, ants can ruin food and get in everything, while rodents can chew through walls, plumbing, and even electrical wiring. Landlords should schedule regular ppest inspectionsto check for early signs of pest activity before the hotter season begins. Much like everything in this article, preventative maintenance is significantly cheaper than an emergency call, in this case to an exterminator. If you want to keep your tenants happy and your property well taken care of, preventative maintenance is a must. If you’re unsure about the signs to look for when doing routine inspections or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .

What Is A Solar Battery and Does Your Rental Need One?

By Dustin Edwards • May 27, 2025
A Solar Battery is an important party of a solar panel system. However, is it valuable for a rental property? Read on to discover.

If You Have These 3 Things, Consider Putting Solar Panels

By Dustin Edwards • May 22, 2025
As California becomes more and more electric, the idea of installing solar panels becomes more enticing for many landlords. While the initial investment may be quite expensive, there are a few things to consider before making the decision. By keeping these factors in mind, you can greatly reduce the overall cost of installation as well as reduce your operational costs throughout the lifespan of the solar panels. Below, we’ve compiled three considerations you should keep in mind before making your decision to install solar panels on your rental property. Long Term Ownership For landlords whose plan is to own their rental property for a long period of time, a solar energy system can be a strategic investment with long-term benefits. The longer you own a solar panel system, the lower the operational costs can be for your rental property. Unlike a homeowner, who sees their return through their energy bill. A landlord sees their return through lower vacancy rates and higher lease renewals. The initial expense associated with installing solar panels can be offset over time through reduced energy costs, improved property efficiency, and adjusting your property’s rent accordingly. Tenants are quite receptive to features that lower recurring expenses, such as their electricity bill. With so many people working from home, a lower energy bill can result in an improvement in tenant satisfaction , as well as reduced vacancy and turnover rates. The use of solar panels fits well in a long-term investment strategy that focuses on keeping operational costs low and reliable while improving your rental property’s value . Stand Out From the Competition In a competitive rental market, such as in Long Beach, CA. Features such as solar panels can help your property stand out to prospective tenants. Features such as solar panels can increase a rental property’s attractiveness to many tenants, though, specifically environmentally conscious individuals and younger tenants tend to gravitate towards rentals with solar panels more. Properties that are energy efficient appeal to renters who prioritize lower utility bills and more sustainable living conditions. These features may influence a prospective tenant’s decision when choosing between rentals of similar characteristics and space. Additionally, tenants who are interested in sustainability often care for the rental and follow the rules better than others. They are also more likely to opt into lease renewals. This means that solar panels can improve your bottom line through a more consistent monthly rental income due to the reduced vacancy and turnover rates. Your Roof is in Good Shape It goes without saying that your roof needs to be in a structurally sound condition in order to install solar panels. In general, a roof is expected to have a lifespan of twenty to twenty-five years, If your roof still has over fifteen years of proper functionality, it's ideal for installing solar panels without requiring additional costs for repair. If your roof is in good condition and won't require repairs in the foreseeable future, you’re far less likely to face problems that would require you to remove the solar panels temporarily. This can be expensive, which is why it's important you don't properly inspect your roof before making the decision to install solar panels. Installing a solar system on your rental property offers measurable benefits to your bottom line in reducing your vacancies and turnover rates, as well as keeping your rental property competitive in the market. If you’re unsure if your roof is structurally sound to install solar panels or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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