ADUs in Los Angeles: Permits, Costs and Steps
Building an ADU in the City of Los Angeles
LADBS issued 5,873 permits adding at least one ADU in the last 12 months; the median wait from permit submission to issue was 131 days.
Los Angeles at a glance
- ADU permits issued in the City of Los Angeles, last 12 months
- 5,873 permits
- Junior ADU (JADU) permits issued in the City of Los Angeles, last 12 months
- 742 permits
- Median days from permit submission to issue for ADU permits, City of Los Angeles, last 12 months
- 131 days
LA Department of Building and Safety, Building Permits Issued 2020 to Present (data.lacity.org) · data as of
- Numbers from LADBS public records
- Up to three local contractors, never a long list
- Free, no obligation
A useful first step
Before you start in Los Angeles
Check LADBS’s ADU resources and standard plans.
What to prepare
The city offers an approved standard-plan program. A standard design still needs a site-specific application, including a plot plan; ask which approvals apply to your lot.
LADBS ADU resources · Checked
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. 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.
City of Los Angeles permit figures (LADBS)
City of Los Angeles permit figures (LADBS)
Local numbers for Los Angeles, each with its source and date.
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 7,039 |
| 2019 | 4,992 |
| 2020 | 3,668 |
| 2021 | 5,304 |
| 2022 | 7,550 |
| 2023 | 7,009 |
| 2024 | 7,330 |
| 2025 | 7,446 |
1st of 79 LA County cities for ADU permits in 2025
* 2025 counts can still rise as late reports come in. Source: California HCD, Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR), Table A2, data as of .
What the permits declare for ADU work in Los Angeles
| Project | Figure | Range on a shared scale |
|---|---|---|
| New ADU (median declared permit valuation, Bldg-New)Declared value on new ADU permits issued in the City of Los Angeles over the last 12 months. Not the full project cost. | $140,544 | |
| ADU conversion (median declared permit valuation, Bldg-Alter/Repair)Declared value on ADU conversion permits issued in the City of Los Angeles over the last 12 months. Not the full project cost. | $37,000 |
Bars share one scale, from $0 to $140,544.
Each figure is the median declared valuation on City of Los Angeles building permits over the last 12 months. It is the value written on the permit, not the contract price or full project cost, which is usually higher. Get an estimate from a local builder for your project.
Planning your project
LADBS issued 5,873 permits that add at least one ADU and 742 permits that add a junior ADU in the City of Los Angeles over the last 12 months. The median time from permit submission to issue for ADU permits was 131 days.
Many Los Angeles homeowners build an ADU to house family, add rental income or make space for a home office. The right choice depends on your lot, your home and your goals.
A junior ADU is smaller and is created inside or attached to an existing home. A full ADU is a separate unit with its own entrance. Ask a local builder to review your property before you choose.
The usual path to an ADU in Los Angeles
The usual path to an ADU in Los Angeles
Check feasibility
Check zoning, lot size and utility access for your property. Ask a local builder to review the options before you spend on design.
Design and plans
Prepare site and floor plans that show the new unit, parking and utility connections. Your builder can draft these or work with your architect.
Plan check and permit
Submit the plans to LADBS for plan check. Expect comments and revisions. Respond to each comment in full.
Construction and inspections
Once the permit is issued, the build starts. Expect inspections at key stages, such as foundation, framing and utilities.
Final sign-off
After the final inspection passes, LADBS signs off the project. Keep the final documents with your home records.
ADU questions for Los Angeles homeowners
Do I need a permit to build an ADU in Los Angeles?
Most ADU projects in the City of Los Angeles need a building permit from LADBS, the city's building department. Ask your local builder to confirm the permit path for your property before work starts.
How long do LADBS permits take for an ADU?
In the City of Los Angeles, the median ADU permit took 131 days from submission to issue over the last 12 months. Plan for a wait before construction can begin, and ask your builder how the timeline applies to your project.
What is the difference between a junior ADU and an ADU?
A junior ADU is smaller and is built within an existing home. A full ADU is a separate unit. In the City of Los Angeles, 742 permits added a junior ADU over the last 12 months, and 5,873 permits added at least one ADU. Your lot, home and budget decide which fits.
Can I convert a garage into an ADU?
Many homeowners ask about converting a garage. An ADU conversion is a different project from a new build. The median declared valuation for an ADU conversion permit in the City of Los Angeles was 37,000 USD over the last 12 months, though your builder can confirm what your garage needs.
What does an ADU cost in Los Angeles?
The median declared permit valuation for a new ADU in the City of Los Angeles was $140,544 over the last 12 months. That figure is the declared value on the permit, not the full project cost, which is usually higher. Request an estimate for your project.
How do I start an ADU project?
Send a request describing your lot, your goals and any plans you have. A local builder will review it and reply. You can check any contractor's license status with the CSLB (Contractors State License Board) before you sign anything.
Compare 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.)
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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