ADU Construction Los Angeles: Design, Permits and Build
One team takes your ADU from lot review to certificate of occupancy. We handle architecture, LADBS plan check, and construction under a single contract.
About Our Team
ADU Construction in Los Angeles, Start to Finish
ADU construction in Los Angeles starts with your lot, not a catalog. First, we check zoning, setbacks, and utilities on ZIMAS and on site. Next, our in-house team draws the plans, runs structural engineering, and files with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). Finally, our own crews build the unit and walk it through every city inspection.
Most single-family lots in the City of LA qualify for one detached ADU plus one Junior ADU. Because we only build ADUs, we also know where LADBS plan check stalls: missing Title 24 reports, sewer capacity questions, and fire separation details. We solve those before submission. As a result, our clients see fewer correction rounds and a schedule they can plan around.
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 Los Angeles
We are not a generalist builder that occasionally takes on backyard units. As a dedicated ADU contractor in Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles
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.
LADBS Plan Check and Permitting in Los Angeles
What Los Angeles homeowners need to know before starting an ADU project.
Dedicated ADU Plan Check
Setbacks and Size Limits
Pre-Approved Standard Plans
Junior ADU Guidelines
Overlay Zones That Add Review
Cost Breakdown
ADU Construction Cost in Los Angeles by Type
Every price below is all-in. That means design, structural engineering, Title 24 energy reports, LADBS plan check fees, construction, and final inspection. Your lot sets where you land inside each range.
| ADU type | Typical size | All-in cost | Active build time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior ADU (JADU) | Up to 500 sq ft | $60,000 to $100,000 | 8 to 12 weeks |
| Garage conversion ADU | 250 to 450 sq ft | $80,000 to $150,000 | 10 to 16 weeks |
| Attached ADU | 400 to 800 sq ft | $120,000 to $220,000 | 14 to 22 weeks |
| Detached ADU | 400 to 1,200 sq ft | $150,000 to $280,000 | 16 to 26 weeks |
Ranges reflect 2026 Los Angeles labor and material pricing. Hillside lots, long utility runs, and sewer upgrades add cost.
Four things move the number most. First, site work: a flat lot with a short sewer run costs far less than a sloped lot that needs a pump. Second, size, because foundation and roofing scale with footprint. Third, the finish tier you pick. Fourth, utility upgrades, since many older LA homes need a new main panel before a second unit can connect.
Impact fees work in your favor on smaller units. State law bars impact fees on any ADU under 750 square feet, so a compact one-bedroom often costs less per rentable foot than a larger build.
Income-qualified owners can also apply for the CalHFA ADU Grant, which reimburses up to $40,000 of pre-development costs such as design, permits, and soil reports.
Timeline
How Long ADU Construction in Los Angeles Takes
Most delays happen before a shovel hits the ground. For that reason, we treat the plan set and the LADBS submission as the critical path and price the schedule up front.
| Phase | Duration | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Feasibility review | 1 to 2 weeks | Zoning, setbacks, utilities, and ZIMAS overlays checked for your parcel |
| Design and engineering | 3 to 6 weeks | Floor plan, elevations, structural calcs, and Title 24 report |
| LADBS plan check | 8 to 16 weeks | Submission, one or two correction rounds, and permit issuance |
| Construction | 10 to 26 weeks | Foundation, framing, rough trades, inspections, and finishes |
| Final inspection | 1 to 2 weeks | Final sign-off and certificate of occupancy |
Total: about 6 to 10 months for a garage conversion and 7 to 12 months for a detached ADU. State law gives the city 60 days to act on a complete ADU application.
Rules at a Glance
Los Angeles ADU Rules Before You Build
State law sets the floor and LADBS applies it. As a result, most City of LA lots with a single-family home qualify for at least one ADU and one JADU.
| Rule | What it means for your lot | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Detached ADU size | Up to 1,200 sq ft. The city must allow at least 800 sq ft with 4 ft setbacks. | Gov. Code 66314, 66321 |
| Attached ADU size | Up to 50% of the main home, with the same 800 sq ft minimum guarantee | Gov. Code 66314 |
| Junior ADU | Up to 500 sq ft inside the existing home, with an efficiency kitchen | Gov. Code 66333 |
| Side and rear setbacks | 4 ft for new construction. Legal garages convert in place with no new setback. | Gov. Code 66314 |
| Height | 16 ft for a one-story detached ADU. Up to 18 ft within half a mile of major transit. | Gov. Code 66321 |
| Parking | None for conversions or within half a mile of transit. No replacement for a converted garage. | Gov. Code 66314 |
| Owner occupancy | Not required. You can rent both the main home and the ADU. | AB 976 (2023) |
| Impact fees | None under 750 sq ft. Proportional above that size. | Gov. Code 66324 |
Hillside, coastal, historic (HPOZ), and very high fire severity zones add review steps. We flag those in the feasibility review.
Read the full LADBS permit guideADUs Starting From $150,000
Our pricing covers every aspect of the project, including structural engineering, architectural plans, permit processing, and complete ADU construction in Los Angeles.
- 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 Los Angeles
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 Los Angeles lots.
One-Bedroom Backyard Suite
Spacious one-bedroom with separate living room, in-unit laundry, and private exterior entrance tailored for Los Angeles.
Two-Bedroom Family ADU
Dual-suite architectural ADU ideal for multigenerational families or premium long-term rental income in Los Angeles.
Get a Free Estimate for Your Los Angeles Property
We will assess your property, review your Los Angeles zoning, and provide a detailed cost and timeline estimate, at no charge, with no obligation.
- Los Angeles-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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Common Questions
ADU Questions for Los Angeles Homeowners
How much does ADU construction in Los Angeles cost?
How long does ADU construction in Los Angeles take?
Can I build an ADU on any lot in Los Angeles?
Does Los Angeles offer pre-approved ADU plans?
What is the $40,000 ADU grant in California?
Do I have to live in the main home to build an ADU?
How much rental income can an ADU generate in Los Angeles?
What is the difference between an ADU and a JADU?
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 Los Angeles and the surrounding area, navigating local zoning, permit processes, and site conditions that generalist contractors do not know.
Los Angeles-Specific ADU Services
Detailed local guides covering permits, pricing, and timelines specific to Los Angeles.
Full-Service ADU Construction in Los Angeles
Looking for premier ADU construction in Los Angeles? We provide full-service builds with a dedicated project manager and a fixed-price contract. Free estimate.
Custom ADU Design for Los Angeles Properties
Looking for expert ADU design in Los Angeles? We provide custom floor plans, 3D renderings, and LADBS-ready permit drawings. Free consultation.
Garage Conversion Los Angeles: LADBS Permits, Cost and Timeline
Garage conversion Los Angeles guide: all-in cost by garage size, LADBS permit steps, no replacement parking, and a 5 to 9 month timeline. Free assessment.
ADU Projects in Los Angeles
Real completed projects from our team in Los Angeles, see the challenge, solution, and results.
Santa Monica Garage Conversion ADU
A 2-car detached garage transformed into a coastal-style one-bedroom ADU. It was permitted through Santa Monica's Coastal Zone process and is earning $3,200/month in rental income.
Pasadena Detached Backyard ADU
A new 650 sq ft Craftsman-influenced ADU built in the rear yard of a 1921 bungalow in Pasadena's Bungalow Heaven historic neighborhood. Designed, permitted, and built in under 11 months.
Culver City 2-Bed Detached ADU
A two-story 750 sq ft two-bedroom ADU built in a compact Culver City rear yard, preserving outdoor space for the main house while maximizing rental income in one of LA's strongest ADU markets.
Planning an ADU in Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles
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.