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ADUs in South Gate: Build Steps and Local Permit Data

Building an ADU in South Gate

154 ADU units had building permits issued in South Gate in 2025, as reported so far.

Updated Sources: California HCD

Concept of a detached backyard ADU with white stucco, cedar siding and a small garden patio
Home inspiration · Concept image

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South Gate at a glance

ADU units with building permits issued in 2025 as reported so far, South Gate
154
ADU units completed in 2025 as reported so far, South Gate
163
Rank by ADU units permitted in 2025 among 79 reporting Los Angeles County cities, South Gate
7 of 79

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

  • Numbers from HCD 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 South Gate. 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.

South Gate ADU numbers from the state's housing reports

South Gate ADU numbers from the state's housing reports

Local numbers for South Gate, each with its source and date.

Change in ADU units permitted, 2018 to 2025, South Gate, as reported so far1
492.3%
  1. 1 California HCD, Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR), Table A2 · data as of
ADU units permitted in South Gate, by yearEach bar is one year of building permits, as the city reported them to the state.

7th 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 .

Planning your project

South Gate homeowners are building ADUs at a steady pace. State HCD reports show 154 ADU units with building permits issued in 2025, as reported so far, and 163 ADU units completed that year. South Gate ranked 7 of 79 reporting Los Angeles County cities for ADU permits in 2025.

The city's permitted ADU units rose 492.3% from 2018 to 2025. These are city totals for South Gate, not neighborhood or ZIP figures, and the 2025 counts may still grow as late reports arrive.

Many South Gate homeowners build an ADU for rental income or to house family close by. Common types include detached backyard units, attached units added to the main house, and garage conversions. Which type fits depends on your lot, your budget and the city's review.

How an ADU gets built in South Gate

How an ADU gets built in South Gate

  1. Check feasibility

    Decide what you want the ADU for, such as family housing or rental income. Measure your lot and look at the existing home and garage.

  2. Design and plans

    Sketch the layout and get drawings that show the site, the unit and utilities. A local builder can help turn your ideas into plans.

  3. Plan check and permit

    Submit your plans to South Gate for plan check. The city may ask for changes before it issues a permit.

  4. Construction and inspections

    Build the unit in stages. The city inspects key stages, such as foundation, framing and systems, before work continues.

  5. Final sign-off and move-in

    Once the final inspections pass, the city signs off on the finished unit. Then you can move in or start renting, if local rules allow it.

Questions homeowners ask before building an ADU in South Gate

Do I need a permit to build an ADU in South Gate?

Most ADU work in South Gate needs a building permit from the city, which runs its own permit review. Your lot and project decide the exact requirements, so confirm them with the city before you start.

Can I convert a garage into an ADU?

It can be possible, but it depends on your lot, the current zoning and the city's review. Ask your builder to check the garage and the plans against city requirements before you commit.

Can I rent out an ADU I build?

Renting out an ADU depends on city rules, your lease and your loan or HOA terms. Check these with the city and your lender before you plan around rental income.

How many ADUs has South Gate permitted?

South Gate had 154 ADU units with building permits issued in 2025, as reported so far, and 163 ADU units completed in 2025, as reported so far. Late reports can still change these counts.

How do I check a contractor's license before I hire?

Check any contractor's license status with the CSLB (Contractors State License Board). Then request a free, no-obligation estimate, and the request goes to one local builder.

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.

Map of LA County cities shaded by ADU units permitted in 2025, with South Gate outlinedAgoura 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.)

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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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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