ADU Cost in Los Angeles: What Permit Data Shows
What an ADU costs in Los Angeles
LADBS data shows a $140,544 median declared permit valuation for new ADUs in the City of Los Angeles over the last 12 months; the median wait for an ADU permit was 131 days.
Los Angeles County at a glance
- Median declared permit valuation, new ADU, City of Los Angeles, last 12 months
- $140,544
- Median days from permit submission to issue, ADU permits, City of Los Angeles, last 12 months
- 131 days
- ADU units completed in 2025 as reported so far, Los Angeles County (all jurisdictions)
- 10,291
LA Department of Building and Safety, Building Permits Issued 2020 to Present (data.lacity.org) · California HCD, Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR), Table A2 · data as of
- Numbers from LADBS and HCD public records
- Up to three local contractors, never a long list
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What do permits say an ADU costs?
From City of LA building permits, last 12 months. Not a contract price. How we calculate this
Declared values on City of Los Angeles building permits, last 12 months. The dataset covers the City of Los Angeles only, so treat it as a regional reference for Los Angeles County. A declared value is what the permit states, not your contract price. How we calculate this.
Source: LA Department of Building and Safety, Building Permits Issued 2020 to Present (data.lacity.org), permits on one- and two-family homes issued to ; fire rebuilds excluded. ZIP medians need 20+ permits.
Key figures and sources
Key figures and sources
Local numbers for Los Angeles County, each with its source and date.
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3,341 |
| 2021 | 4,882 |
| 2022 | 6,820 |
| 2023 | 5,855 |
| 2024 | 6,070 |
| 2025 | 6,484 |
Source: LA Department of Building and Safety, Building Permits Issued 2020 to Present (data.lacity.org), full calendar years, fire rebuilds excluded, data as of .
Explore ADU activity across LA County
Where LA County is building ADUs
ADU units permitted in 2025, city by city. Select a city to open its guide.
- 0–21
- 22–28
- 29–56
- 57–99
- 100+
- No report
- Unincorporated
Most ADU permits in 2025
- 1Los Angeles7,446
- 2Long Beach644
- 3Glendale371
- 4Burbank241
- 5Pasadena222
- 6Lancaster209
- 7South Gate154
- 8Inglewood147
- 9Downey146
- 10Santa Monica143
Planning an ADU? A local builder can price yours.
Get my free estimatePermits: California HCD, Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR), Table A2, data as of ; 2025 counts can still rise. Boundaries: Los Angeles County, City and Unincorporated Boundaries (Legal) (mainland only (islands omitted). simplified to about 300 m.)
Median declared permit values, City of Los Angeles
| Project | Figure | Range on a shared scale |
|---|---|---|
| New ADU, median declared permit valuationMedian declared value on City of Los Angeles permits, last 12 months. This is the value declared on the permit, not a contract price. | $140,544 | |
| ADU conversion, median declared permit valuationMedian declared value on City of Los Angeles permits, last 12 months. This is the value declared on the permit, not a contract price. | $37,000 |
Bars share one scale, from $0 to $140,544.
Declared permit values are not the full project cost, which is usually higher. The way to know your cost is to get an estimate for your lot.
Planning your project
The median declared permit valuation for a new ADU in the City of Los Angeles was $140,544 over the last 12 months, and for an ADU conversion it was $37,000. These figures are the values declared on building permits, not contract prices.
What a declared valuation is
A declared valuation is the amount the applicant writes on the permit application. It is used for permit records and fees. It is not a quote from a builder and it does not list everything the project will cost.
What usually adds to the cost
Design and engineering, utility connections, site work, finishes, and permit fees often add to the total. Each lot is different, so the final cost can differ a lot from a median.
Why a conversion usually declares less
A conversion uses space in an existing structure, so it often needs less new construction than a new build.
Get an estimate for your lot
The most reliable way to know your cost is to request an estimate from a local builder who will look at your lot and plans.
ADU cost questions
Is the permit valuation the real cost of an ADU?
No. The median declared permit valuation for a new ADU in the City of Los Angeles was $140,544 over the last 12 months. That is the value the applicant declares on the building permit. The full project cost is usually higher because it can include design, engineering, utility connections, site work and finishes.
Why do conversions usually show a lower permit value?
The median declared permit valuation for an ADU conversion in the City of Los Angeles was $37,000 over the last 12 months, compared with $140,544 for a new ADU. A conversion works within an existing structure, so it often needs less new construction and usually declares a lower value on the permit.
What drives the price of an ADU?
Design and engineering, utility connections, site work such as grading and access, finishes, and permit fees all affect the final price. Your lot, size, and layout matter as well. A written estimate for your specific lot is the most reliable way to see these costs.
How long do ADU permits take in the City of Los Angeles?
For ADU permits in the City of Los Angeles, the median time from submission to issue was 131 days over the last 12 months. Your timeline depends on the plans, corrections, and the review queue at the time you file.
How do I get a reliable number for my project?
Ask a local builder to visit your lot and review your goals, site conditions, and plans. You can then compare the written estimate with the figures on this page. You can also check any contractor's license status with the CSLB (Contractors State License Board).
Recent work by a contractor in our network
Photos from the contractor's own projects, used with permission. Captions name the type of work.
Bathroom in an ADU 
Addition / ADU interior 
Addition / ADU interior 
Addition / ADU bathroom
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