ADU Builder in Encino
Encino got its name from the oak trees the early Spanish settlers found here: "Los Encinos." Many of those oaks are still part of the neighborhood, and they're one of the first things we think about when we plan an ADU in Encino.
What Makes an Encino ADU Different
Encino is part of the City of Los Angeles
Encino is a neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles. ADU permits go through the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), and zoning follows City of LA rules. Encino and Tarzana together make up the Encino–Tarzana Community Plan area. The city makes the final permit decision.
Two kinds of lots: the flats and the hills
City Planning describes Encino as having two distinct areas. North of Ventura Boulevard, toward the 101 and the Sepulveda Basin, you'll find a mix of single-family homes and multi-family buildings on a more regular street grid. South of the Boulevard, streets curve up into the Santa Monica Mountains, and many homes sit on large estate-size lots.
On a flatter lot north of Ventura, a garage conversion or a detached backyard unit is often simple to lay out. A larger lot in the hills can give you room for a roomier detached ADU, but slope, access for equipment, grading and foundations usually take more planning. Hillside and fire-zone lots can also come with extra city requirements. We check those early.
Protected oak trees
The City of Los Angeles protects native oaks (except scrub oak), plus a few other native species: Southern California black walnut, western sycamore, California bay, and the Mexican elderberry and toyon shrubs. This applies once the trunk measures at least 4 inches in cumulative diameter, measured 4.5 feet above the ground. Removing or relocating one, or doing work likely to kill it, needs a permit from the city's Urban Forestry Division, and that application needs a report from a qualified tree expert.
In practice, that means we place your ADU and plan foundations and trenching around protected trees from day one, not after drawings are done.
Specific plans along the Boulevard and the ridge
Parts of Encino fall under the Ventura/Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan, and properties near the ridge may fall under the Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan. If one applies to your lot, it can add review steps.
ADU Options and Starting Prices
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2-car garage conversion: from $90k
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Ground-up ADU (detached or attached): from $290 per square foot
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Build timelines: from about 3 months
These are build-only starting prices. Design, permits, city fees and utility upgrades are extra. A starting price isn't a quote, and your final price is set in your written estimate.
Other fees can still apply, including permit and plan check fees, school fees for ADUs of 500 square feet or more, and any utility connection charges.
See all of our ADU options on our ADU services page.
How We Work With Encino Homeowners
Free, no-obligation feasibility review. We look at your lot, your trees, your goals and what's on file with the city.
Design. Our design is done in-house or with partners, and the plans are drawn around your yard and any protected trees.
Permits. We prepare the plans for LADBS plan check and handle the corrections.
Build. You get a clear written estimate, regular updates, and city inspections at each stage.
We bring 10 years of experience, 237+ clients and $52M+ in projects, and we serve homeowners across Los Angeles. Licensed, bonded, and insured (general liability).
Encino ADU FAQ
I have an oak tree in my backyard. Can I still build an ADU?
Often, yes. The key is planning the ADU around the tree. If a protected tree would need to be removed or relocated, that takes a separate permit from the city's Urban Forestry Division, and approval isn't automatic.
Is building an ADU on a lot south of Ventura Boulevard different?
It can be. Hillside lots often need more grading and foundation work. Some lots also carry hillside or fire-zone requirements. We'll review your lot with you, and the city makes the final permit decision.
Who issues ADU permits in Encino?
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), because Encino is part of the City of Los Angeles.
Do you work in Farsi?
Yes. Our team speaks English and Farsi, so you can talk through your project in whichever you prefer.
Start With Your Encino Lot
Call (818) 818-8366, message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/18188188366, or send us a message to set up your free, no-obligation feasibility review. We're open Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 6 PM, and closed Sunday.
Licensed contractor: Bardia Ekrami, CSLB #1143589.