The ADU Permit Process in Los Angeles, Step by Step

Permits are the part of an ADU project that most homeowners worry about. The good news: California has made ADUs much easier to approve, and the City of Los Angeles has clear steps to follow. It still helps to know what's coming.

This guide covers the general path for an ADU in the City of Los Angeles, where permits are handled by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). If your home is in a different city or in unincorporated LA County, the steps will be different.

Step 1: Learn What's on Your Property

Before design starts, it pays to understand your lot. The city's free ZIMAS tool lets you look up a property by address and see its zoning and special conditions. Under the "Additional" section, ZIMAS shows whether a lot is in a Hillside Area or a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. It also shows if a specific plan or other overlay applies.

It's also smart to check what has been permitted on the property in the past. LADBS offers property records searches, which is helpful if you're thinking of converting a garage or other existing structure.

Step 2: Feasibility and Design

Next comes the big-picture plan: what type of ADU, how big, and where it goes. This is where a good feasibility review saves time. It flags issues like slope, access, utilities and setbacks before you pay for full drawings.

Then a designer prepares the plans. We offer design in-house or with trusted partners. Another option is the LADBS ADU Standard Plan Program. These are pre-approved plans that have already been checked for building, residential and green code compliance, which can shorten plan check. LADBS still reviews site-specific items, such as zoning, foundation, grading, methane mitigation and fire-zone requirements.

Optional: preliminary plan check

If you have questions before submitting, LADBS offers a Preliminary Plan Check, where you can meet with a plan check engineer for advice.

Step 3: Submit Your Plans

Plans that need review are submitted online through ePlanLA, the city's plan submission system, or in person by appointment. You'll need an Angeleno account, which is the city's login for its online services.

Step 4: Plan Check and Corrections

LADBS reviews your plans to make sure they meet code. It's normal to receive a list of corrections. Your designer revises the plans and resubmits.

Depending on your project, other city departments or agencies may also need to sign off. LADBS lists departments such as City Planning, the Fire Department, Sanitation, the Department of Water and Power and the Bureau of Engineering, among others, as possible clearances.

The 60-day rule

Under California law, once the city receives a complete ADU application on a lot that already has a home, it must approve or deny it within 60 days. That's an important protection. Keep in mind that the clock is tied to a complete application, so the overall calendar also depends on design time and how quickly corrections are handled. The city makes the final permit decision.

Step 5: Permit Issuance

Once your plans are approved, the permit is issued. That's your go-ahead to build. LADBS allows a permit to be obtained by the owner, an agent or a contractor. Any remaining permit fees are paid at this stage, based on the city's current fee schedule.

One helpful rule: under state law, ADUs with 750 square feet or less of interior livable space are exempt from impact fees. Other fees, such as permit fees, school fees for ADUs of 500 square feet or more, and any utility connection charges, can still apply.

Step 6: Construction and Inspections

During construction, LADBS inspects the work at key stages, such as foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing and roofing. Each stage has to pass before it's covered up and work moves on. Your contractor schedules these inspections.

Our build timelines start from about 3 months, depending on the project.

Step 7: Final Inspection

When the work is done, a final inspection confirms everything matches the approved plans. After the city signs off, your ADU is ready to live in.

So, How Long Does It Take?

It depends on your property, the design, the type of ADU, how many corrections come back, and whether other agencies need to review it. We'd rather not promise a specific number of weeks for permitting, because the city controls that part. What we can do is prepare complete, careful plans and respond to corrections quickly.

A Quick Note on Cost

People often ask about price alongside permits. Our 2-car garage conversions start from $90k, and ground-up ADUs start from $290 per square foot. 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. Learn more on our ADU services page.

Rules Change, So Check Before You Start

State ADU law has been updated many times in recent years, and the City of Los Angeles updates its ADU rules too. Before you design, confirm the current requirements for your lot.

Let Us Help You Map Out Your Permit Path

Tehran Construction & Remodeling brings 10 years of experience building in Los Angeles, and our team speaks English and Farsi. If you'd like to know what the permit path looks like for your home, start with a free, no-obligation feasibility review. Call or WhatsApp (818) 818-8366, or contact us online.

Licensed contractor: Bardia Ekrami, CSLB #1143589.