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ADU Builders in Los Angeles County

ADUs in Los Angeles County: what to expect

California HCD reports 10,291 ADU units completed in Los Angeles County in 2025, as reported so far. In the City of Los Angeles, the median permit took 131 days in the last 12 months.

Updated Sources: California HCD

Concept of a detached backyard ADU with white stucco, cedar siding and a small garden patio
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Los Angeles County at a glance

ADU units completed in 2025 as reported so far, Los Angeles County (all jurisdictions)
10,291
ADU units completed in 2024, Los Angeles County (all jurisdictions)
9,527
ADU units with building permits issued in 2023, Los Angeles County (all jurisdictions)
13,086

California HCD, Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR), Table A2 · data as of

  • Numbers from HCD and LADBS public records
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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.

$140,544median declared value, new ADU

Middle half of 2,004 permits Median

Every lot is different. A local contractor can price your project.

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.

ADU figures for Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles

ADU figures for Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles

Local numbers for Los Angeles County, each with its source and date.

Median days from permit submission to issue, ADU permits, last 12 months, City of Los Angeles1
131 days
  1. 1 LA Department of Building and Safety, Building Permits Issued 2020 to Present (data.lacity.org) · 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.

Map of LA County cities shaded by ADU units permitted in 2025Agoura Hills: 17 ADU units permitted in 2025Alhambra: 102 ADU units permitted in 2025Arcadia: 98 ADU units permitted in 2025Artesia: 39 ADU units permitted in 2025Azusa: no HCD reportBaldwin Park: 119 ADU units permitted in 2025Bell: 25 ADU units permitted in 2025Bell Gardens: 26 ADU units permitted in 2025Bellflower: 18 ADU units permitted in 2025Beverly Hills: 31 ADU units permitted in 2025Bradbury: no HCD reportBurbank: 241 ADU units permitted in 2025Calabasas: 15 ADU units permitted in 2025Carson: 41 ADU units permitted in 2025Cerritos: 12 ADU units permitted in 2025Claremont: 23 ADU units permitted in 2025Commerce: no HCD reportCompton: no HCD reportCovina: 34 ADU units permitted in 2025Cudahy: 24 ADU units permitted in 2025Culver City: 83 ADU units permitted in 2025Diamond Bar: 50 ADU units permitted in 2025Downey: 146 ADU units permitted in 2025Duarte: 23 ADU units permitted in 2025El Monte: 107 ADU units permitted in 2025El Segundo: 25 ADU units permitted in 2025Gardena: 52 ADU units permitted in 2025Glendale: 371 ADU units permitted in 2025Glendora: 57 ADU units permitted in 2025Hawaiian Gardens: 11 ADU units permitted in 2025Hawthorne: 76 ADU units permitted in 2025Hermosa Beach: 11 ADU units permitted in 2025Hidden Hills: no HCD reportHuntington Park: 45 ADU units permitted in 2025Industry: no HCD reportInglewood: 147 ADU units permitted in 2025Irwindale: no HCD reportLa Canada Flintridge: 30 ADU units permitted in 2025La Habra Heights: no HCD reportLa Mirada: 23 ADU units permitted in 2025La Puente: 28 ADU units permitted in 2025La Verne: 22 ADU units permitted in 2025Lakewood: 99 ADU units permitted in 2025Lancaster: 209 ADU units permitted in 2025Lawndale: no HCD reportLomita: 7 ADU units permitted in 2025Long Beach: 644 ADU units permitted in 2025Los Angeles: 7,446 ADU units permitted in 2025Lynwood: no HCD reportMalibu: 5 ADU units permitted in 2025Manhattan Beach: 24 ADU units permitted in 2025Maywood: no HCD reportMonrovia: 58 ADU units permitted in 2025Montebello: 61 ADU units permitted in 2025Monterey Park: 78 ADU units permitted in 2025Norwalk: 119 ADU units permitted in 2025Palmdale: 68 ADU units permitted in 2025Palos Verdes Estates: 20 ADU units permitted in 2025Paramount: 57 ADU units permitted in 2025Pasadena: 222 ADU units permitted in 2025Pico Rivera: 96 ADU units permitted in 2025Pomona: no HCD reportRancho Palos Verdes: 16 ADU units permitted in 2025Redondo Beach: 25 ADU units permitted in 2025Rolling Hills: no HCD reportRolling Hills Estates: 5 ADU units permitted in 2025Rosemead: 136 ADU units permitted in 2025San Dimas: 30 ADU units permitted in 2025San Fernando: 40 ADU units permitted in 2025San Gabriel: 54 ADU units permitted in 2025San Marino: 14 ADU units permitted in 2025Santa Clarita: 29 ADU units permitted in 2025Santa Fe Springs: 15 ADU units permitted in 2025Santa Monica: 143 ADU units permitted in 2025Sierra Madre: 26 ADU units permitted in 2025Signal Hill: 8 ADU units permitted in 2025South El Monte: 22 ADU units permitted in 2025South Gate: 154 ADU units permitted in 2025South Pasadena: 26 ADU units permitted in 2025Temple City: 69 ADU units permitted in 2025Torrance: 89 ADU units permitted in 2025Vernon: no HCD reportWalnut: 36 ADU units permitted in 2025West Covina: no HCD reportWest Hollywood: 36 ADU units permitted in 2025Westlake Village: no HCD reportWhittier: 86 ADU units permitted in 2025
ADU units permitted, 2025
  • 0–21
  • 22–28
  • 29–56
  • 57–99
  • 100+
  • No report
  • Unincorporated

Most ADU permits in 2025

  1. 1Los Angeles7,446
  2. 2Long Beach644
  3. 3Glendale371
  4. 4Burbank241
  5. 5Pasadena222
  6. 6Lancaster209
  7. 7South Gate154
  8. 8Inglewood147
  9. 9Downey146
  10. 10Santa Monica143

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Permits: 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.)

The general path to an ADU in Los Angeles County

The general path to an ADU in Los Angeles County

  1. Check what your city allows on your lot

    Start with your city's zoning rules. Confirm what size and type of unit your city allows on your lot, and any setback or parking rules that apply.

  2. Prepare design and plans

    Work with a builder or designer to draw the plans. Good plans show the layout, utilities, and how the unit connects to your home.

  3. Submit for plan check and permit

    Submit your plans to your city's building department for plan check. Expect corrections to answer before the permit is issued, and ask your city how it runs its process.

  4. Build with inspections along the way

    Once the permit is issued, construction moves ahead in stages. Inspections are required at key points before work is covered up.

  5. Get final sign-off

    When the work passes its final inspections, your city issues the final sign-off. Keep those records with your home documents.

Questions homeowners ask before building an ADU

Who issues the ADU permit?

Your city or county building department issues the ADU permit. Each city in Los Angeles County runs its own process, so check with your local office early.

Can I convert a garage into an ADU?

It depends on your city and your lot. Ask your city what it allows for a garage conversion before you plan the work.

Can I rent out my ADU?

Rules on renting out an ADU depend on your city. Check your city's rules before you plan a rental.

How long do ADU permits take in the City of Los Angeles?

In the City of Los Angeles, the median was 131 days from permit submission to issue over the last 12 months. Other cities in the county run their own permits and can take a different amount of time.

How do I start an ADU project?

In Los Angeles County, 10,291 ADU units were completed in 2025 as reported so far, so the count may still rise. Start by checking what your city allows on your lot, then request a free estimate from a local builder.

Recent work by a contractor in our network

Photos from the contractor's own projects, used with permission. Captions name the type of work.

  • Dark-tiled bathroom with a floating vanity and frameless glass
    Bathroom in an ADU
  • Living area in a new unit with a sofa and dining table
    Addition / ADU interior
  • Living room of a new unit with neutral furniture
    Addition / ADU interior
  • Bathroom vanity with a backlit mirror in a new unit
    Addition / ADU bathroom

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Your project · works in Los Angeles County

Matched to your project. We check the project type and ZIP first. Up to three local contractors may contact you, and we email you each one's name.

  • Dark-tiled bathroom with a floating vanity and frameless glass
  • Living area in a new unit with a sofa and dining table
  • Living room of a new unit with neutral furniture

Service areas

  • Los Angeles
  • Bel Air
  • Brentwood
  • Hollywood
  • +36 more

Service areas as listed by the contractor ()

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