Garage Conversions in Los Angeles
Garage Conversions and Permits in Los Angeles
The City of Los Angeles issued 2,973 permits for garage conversions in the last 12 months; the median wait for an ADU permit was 131 days.
Los Angeles County at a glance
- Building permits issued for garage conversions, City of Los Angeles, last 12 months
- 2,973 permits
- Building permits issued that add a junior ADU (JADU), City of Los Angeles, last 12 months
- 742 permits
- Median days from permit submission to issue, 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
What do permits say an ADU conversion 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.
City of Los Angeles permit figures
ADU conversion cost figure, City of Los Angeles
| Project | Figure | Range on a shared scale |
|---|---|---|
| ADU conversion, median declared permit valuationDeclared value on City of Los Angeles permits, not a contract price or full project cost. Your actual cost depends on your garage, plans and scope. | $37,000 |
Bars share one scale, from $0 to $37,000.
This is the median declared valuation on City of Los Angeles ADU conversion permits (alterations) in the last 12 months. It is the value declared on the permit, not the full project cost, which is usually higher.
The general path to a garage conversion
The general path to a garage conversion
Check your garage and lot
Confirm that your garage and lot can be converted under your city's rules. Setbacks, parking, size and utility access all matter.
Plan your design
Work out the layout, size and finishes for the new living space. A plan set shows the builder and the city what will be built.
Plan check and permit
The city reviews your plans for code compliance. Corrections are common, so expect this stage to take some time.
Build with inspections
Construction moves forward in stages. The city inspects key stages, such as framing, electrical and plumbing, before work continues.
Final sign-off
When the work passes its final inspections, the city signs off the permit. Keep the final approval records with your home papers.
Garage conversion questions
Do I need a permit to convert my garage?
In most cases, yes. Converting a garage into living space or an ADU needs a building permit from your city. Rules and plan requirements depend on the city and on your garage, so check with your local building department before you start.
Can my garage become an ADU?
It can, if your garage and lot meet your city's rules for an accessory dwelling unit. Requirements vary by city and by property, so a builder can review your lot before you commit to a design.
What about parking?
It depends. Parking rules for garage conversions and ADUs vary by city and by property, including whether replacement parking is needed. Ask the builder who receives your request how parking applies to your lot.
What does a garage conversion cost?
The median declared permit valuation for ADU conversion permits in the City of Los Angeles was $37,000 over the last 12 months. That is the value declared on the permit, not the full project cost, which is usually higher. Your estimate depends on your garage and scope.
How long do permits take in the City of Los Angeles?
The median was 131 days from permit submission to issue for ADU permits in the City of Los Angeles over the last 12 months. Timelines vary with each project and with plan corrections, so ask your builder what to expect.
Recent work by a contractor in our network
Photos from the contractor's own projects, used with permission. Captions name the type of work.
Addition / ADU interior 
Addition / ADU interior
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