Garage Conversion Permits in Los Angeles
Garage conversions in the City of Los Angeles
The City of Los Angeles issued 2,973 permits for garage conversions in the last 12 months; the median time from submission to issue was 92 days for one- and two-family homes.
Los Angeles at a glance
- Garage conversion building permits issued in the City of Los Angeles, last 12 months
- 2,973 permits
- Share of garage conversion permits on one- and two-family homes in the City of Los Angeles, last 12 months
- 96.3%
- Median declared permit valuation, garage conversions without an addition on one- and two-family homes in the City of Los Angeles, last 12 months
- $40,000
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 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. 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 for garage conversions
City of Los Angeles permit figures for garage conversions
Local numbers for Los Angeles, each with its source and date.
- Median days from submission to issue, garage conversion permits on one- and two-family homes in the City of Los Angeles, last 12 months1
- 92 days
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2,409 |
| 2021 | 3,231 |
| 2022 | 4,243 |
| 2023 | 3,520 |
| 2024 | 3,555 |
| 2025 | 3,646 |
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 .
What the permit valuation shows
| Project | Figure | Range on a shared scale |
|---|---|---|
| Median declared permit valuation, garage conversions without an additionA declared value on the building permit, not a quote or full project cost. Figure is for City of Los Angeles one- and two-family homes over the last 12 months. | $40,000 |
Bars share one scale, from $0 to $40,000.
Table covers the declared permit valuation on City of Los Angeles building permits for garage conversions without an addition on one- and two-family homes over the last 12 months. It is the value the applicant declared to the city, not a contract price, and it is usually below the real project cost because design, materials, finishes and work not on the permit add to it. Get an estimate for your home to know your number.
The typical path for a garage conversion
The typical path for a garage conversion
Check your garage and lot
Confirm that your garage and lot can be converted under your city's rules before you spend money on design. Ask the builder and the city to confirm what applies to your property.
Plan and design the space
Work out the layout, access, utilities and finishes you want. Your builder can turn these ideas into plans that the city will review.
Plan check and permit
Submit the plans to the city for plan check. Once the review is complete and the permit is issued, the work can begin. Timing depends on the city's review, so confirm the steps with the builder.
Build with inspections
The work moves forward in stages, and the city may inspect key stages before work is covered up. Expect your builder to schedule these inspections as the job progresses.
Final sign-off
When the work passes the final inspections, the permit can be closed out. Ask the builder to confirm that all final sign-off steps are complete.
Garage conversion questions
Do I need a permit for a garage conversion in the City of Los Angeles?
Often yes. Many garage conversions need a building permit from the City of Los Angeles, and most of the permits the city issues for this work turn the garage into living space such as an ADU. Whether your project needs one depends on your home and the city's review, so confirm with the builder or the city before you start.
How many garage conversion permits does the city issue?
The City of Los Angeles issued 2,973 permits for garage conversions in the last 12 months. The counts cover all property types. Fire-rebuild permits are not included.
How long do garage conversion permits take?
The city's figures show a median of 92 days from submission to issue for garage conversion permits on one- and two-family homes over the last 12 months. Your timeline depends on your plans, the completeness of your submittal and the city's review, so ask the builder for their plan for your project.
What does the permit valuation tell me about cost?
The median declared permit valuation was $40,000 for garage conversions without an addition on one- and two-family homes. That is the value declared on the permit, not a contract price. The real project cost is usually higher, so ask for an estimate for your home.
How do I start a garage conversion?
Describe your garage, your lot and what you want the space to be. A local builder who receives your request can review it with you and explain the next steps.
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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