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ADU Culver City: Rules, Costs and a Local Builder
Our office sits at 9723 Washington Boulevard, minutes from Culver City Hall. We design, permit, and build detached ADUs, garage conversions, and Junior ADUs across Culver City.
About Our Team
Your Local ADU Builder in Culver City
Building an ADU in Culver City is easier than most owners expect. The city allows detached and attached ADUs up to 1,200 square feet, a Junior ADU inside the home, and free pre-approved plans in three styles. Our headquarters at 9723 Washington Boulevard puts our team minutes from City Hall, so we meet plan checkers in person and can visit your lot the same week you call.
Rental demand is the other draw. Apple, Amazon Studios, Sony Pictures, and HBO all have offices here, and the Metro E Line Culver City station links tenants to Downtown LA and Santa Monica. Therefore, a well-built backyard unit in Blair Hills, Carlson Park, Culver West, or Sunkist Park rarely sits empty for long.
Learn About Our Team
What We Do
ADU Services from a Los Angeles Design-Build Team
From feasibility through final inspection, one ADU builder handles your full scope so timelines and costs stay clear.
Plan your project with dedicated ADU builders Los Angeles homeowners trust for faster approvals, buildability, and rental value.
ADU Plans & Design
Our team acts as the expert ADU contractor Los Angeles cities work with daily, handling all submissions and correction responses.
ADU Permits & Approvals
Build ADU space with one accountable team managing construction quality, schedule, and trade coordination from start to final inspection.
Detached ADU Construction
Your Dedicated ADU Contractor in Culver City
We are not a generalist builder that occasionally takes on backyard units. As a dedicated ADU contractor in Culver City, our crews construct secondary units full-time. This focus guarantees consistent craftsmanship, predictable timelines, and a single point of contact from first concept to final inspection.
- Dedicated project manager assigned at contract signing
- Weekly written progress updates throughout the build
- Self-performed core trades, with no hand-offs to unknown crews
- All work inspected by the city at every required phase
- Certificate of occupancy obtained before project closeout
- 1-year workmanship warranty on all completed construction
Build Process
Our Process as Your ADU Contractor in Culver City
From site prep to the final details, we manage every stage of your detached ADU construction under a single contract.
Site Prep
We grade the site, dig utility trenches, run primary sewer and electrical lines, and pour the concrete foundation.
Framing & Envelope
We frame the walls and roof structure, install energy-efficient windows, and apply weatherproofing and roofing.
Rough-Ins
Our in-house trades install plumbing lines, electrical wiring, and the high-efficiency HVAC system.
Finishes
We insulate, install drywall, paint, fit cabinetry, lay flooring, mount fixtures, and complete the final municipal inspection.
Culver City Community Development Department Guidelines
What Culver City homeowners need to know before starting an ADU project.
Culver City Plan Check
Setback and Size Allowances
Sewer Lateral Scoping and Upgrades
Independent Electrical Metering
Culver City Rules
ADU Culver City Rules at a Glance
Culver City writes its ADU standards into Municipal Code Section 17.400.095, and state law fills in the rest. Here is what applies to a typical single-family lot.
| Rule | Culver City standard | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Detached or attached ADU | Up to 1,200 sq ft. Attached units cap at 50% of the main home, but 800 sq ft is always allowed. | CCMC 17.400.095, Gov. Code 66314 |
| Junior ADU | Up to 500 sq ft inside the existing or proposed home | CCMC 17.400.095 |
| Side and rear setbacks | 4 ft. A legal garage converts on its existing footprint. | Gov. Code 66314 |
| Height | 16 ft for a one-story detached ADU, 18 ft near major transit | Gov. Code 66321 |
| Parking | Zero for conversions and JADUs. One space for new ADUs unless an exemption applies, and most Culver City lots sit near Metro E Line or bus transit. | Gov. Code 66314 |
| Units per lot | One ADU plus one JADU on most single-family lots | Gov. Code 66323 |
| Owner occupancy | Not required for the ADU | AB 976 (2023) |
| Impact fees | None under 750 sq ft | Gov. Code 66324 |
Planning Division: (310) 253-5710. Building Safety: (310) 253-5800. We confirm every standard against your parcel before design starts.
Pre-Approved Plans
Culver City Pre-Approved ADU Plans (PRADU)
Culver City publishes free pre-approved ADU plans in three styles: Post-War Bungalow, Spanish Revival, and Contemporary. The program expanded on January 1, 2025 under AB 1332.
| Plan | Size | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 468 sq ft | Home office, guest suite, or entry-level rental |
| One bedroom | 637 sq ft | Long-term rental near Downtown Culver City and the studios |
| Two bedroom | 806 sq ft | Family housing or top-of-market rent |
A pre-approved plan skips most architectural review. However, it does not skip the permit. You still need a site plan for your lot, utility connections, and a Building Safety permit before work begins.
We work with PRADU plans and custom designs. Therefore, we can run both options against your lot, your budget, and your rent target, then show you the numbers side by side.
Culver City also lets owners legalize ADUs built without permits before January 1, 2020, using the city's Safe ADU and JADU checklist. We can scope the upgrades that process requires.
ADUs Starting From $150,000
Our transparent pricing covers architectural blueprints, structural engineering, Culver City permits, and complete turnkey construction.
- Design, architecture and engineering included
- Permitting and city approval management included
- Full construction and site work included
- Final inspection and certificate of occupancy included
* All-inclusive pricing. Final cost depends on scope and site conditions.
ADU Styles & Models Built in Culver City
Explore our most requested detached and conversion floor plans, engineered for California Title 24 compliance and maximum rental yield.
Modern Detached Studio ADU
High-efficiency detached studio with full kitchen, walk-in shower, and private patio access, optimized for Culver City lots.
One-Bedroom Backyard Suite
Spacious one-bedroom with separate living room, in-unit laundry, and private exterior entrance tailored for Culver City.
Two-Bedroom Family ADU
Dual-suite architectural ADU ideal for multigenerational families or premium long-term rental income in Culver City.
Get a Free Estimate for Your Culver City Property
We will assess your property, review your Culver City zoning, and provide a detailed cost and timeline estimate, at no charge, with no obligation.
- Culver City-specific feasibility review for your lot
- Realistic all-inclusive cost range for your ADU type
- Timeline from design through certificate of occupancy
- Response within 1 business day
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Request Your Free Estimate
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Common Questions
ADU Questions for Culver City Homeowners
How much does building a Culver City ADU cost?
How long does Culver City take to approve ADU plans?
What is the maximum ADU size in Culver City?
Does Culver City have pre-approved ADU plans?
Do I have to build replacement parking if I convert my garage?
Can I legalize an unpermitted ADU in Culver City?
Is there a grant for building an ADU in Culver City?
Can I rent my Culver City ADU on Airbnb?
How much rental income can a Culver City ADU generate?
Where is your office in Culver City?
Do I need to live on the property to rent out a Culver City ADU?
Need help planning your ADU project?
Talk with an ADU specialistWhy ADU Build LA
ADU Expertise You Can Count On
We have built ADUs across Culver City and the surrounding area, navigating local zoning, permit processes, and site conditions that generalist contractors do not know.
Culver City-Specific ADU Services
Detailed local guides covering permits, pricing, and timelines specific to Culver City.
ADU Projects in Culver City
Real completed projects from our team in Culver City, see the challenge, solution, and results.
Planning an ADU in Culver City?
Design your ADU in our interactive configurator, choose type, size, style, and finishes. Get a matching floor plan and budget estimate before you talk to anyone.
Build Your ADU in Culver City
Join over 200 Los Angeles homeowners who have added rental income and lasting property value with an ADU from ADU Build LA. Your free estimate is the first step.
Learn how we work as ADU builders in Los Angeles who handle design, permits, and construction under one contract.