Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

An Accessory Dwelling Unit, is a small, separate living space on the same property as a single-family home. It can be attached to the main house, or it can be a separate structure, like a converted garage or backyard cottage.

Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance (Ord 186481)
ZA Memo 143 - Revision 1 (LAMC Chapter 1)

The ADU Ordinance

On December 11, 2019, the City of Los Angeles adopted the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance (Ordinance 186,481) which went into effect on December 19, 2019. This ordinance added a new section, Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Section 12.22A.33, which includes local development standards and requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs), and Movable Tiny Houses (MTHs) as outlined in Government Code (GC) Sections 65852.2 and 65852.22.

Types of ADU

According to the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance (Ordinance 186,481) three types of ADU’s have been defined to include: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs), and Movable Tiny Houses (MTHs).

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a small, separate living space on the same property as a single-family home. It can be attached to the main house or be a separate structure such as a converted garage or backyard cottage. These units provide independent living facilities such as a place to sleep, eat, cook and have personal hygiene. ADU's are located in the same lot as the main house, and it is a great way to increase living space options for family members, renters, or as a source of income for homeowners.

Movable Tiny House (MTH)

Movable Tiny House (MTH)

Movable Tiny House (MTH)

A Moveable Tiny House (MTH) is a small, portable living space that meets certain requirements set by the state of California. To be considered a MTH, the space must meet all the following requirements:

  • Is licensed and registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
  • Meets the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 119.5 requirements or the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1192 standards, and is certified for ANSI or NFPA compliance. A 3rd party inspection agency (Design Approval Agency/Quality Assurance Agency) shall certify the MTH meets this requirement (List of approved 3rd party Design Approval Agencies (DAA) and Quality Assurance Agencies (QAA)).
  • Cannot move under its own power.
  • Is no larger than allowed by California State Law for movement on public highways
  • Is no smaller than 150 and larger than 430 square feet as measured within the exterior faces of the exterior walls.

Development Standards and Requirements

ADUs, Junior ADUs, and Manufactured Tied Homes can be built in any area that allows residential use. Parking isn't required for new ADUs if they are within a half-mile walk of public transit. If you remove covered parking to build an ADU, you don't need to replace it.

ADUs must follow all zoning, building, and residential codes. Fire sprinklers aren't required if they're not necessary for the main house. Detached ADUs built from scratch must have solar panels.

ADU Approved
Standard Plans
Program

The Standard Plan Program makes it easier for LADBS customers to get permits for building Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) built repeatedly. Using standard plans shortens the time needed to review the plans through plan check, and corresponding permits are issued more quickly.

Under The Standard Plan Program private licensed architects and engineers create plans suitable for different types of sites. LADBS pre-approves these plans to make sure they meet building, residential, and green codes. If you choose an approved plan, LADBS will review it to make sure it fits your property, following zoning codes and foundation needs.

 

 

View Approved Standard Plans

Additional Resources

Find ADU-related PDFs and forms here. For more options, visit our Forms and Publications page.

  • Forms & Publications
  • FAQ

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Palisades Geohazard Risk Assessment Zones (PGRAZ)
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Permit and Inspection Homeowners Guide for Single Family and ADUs
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Permitting Checklist for Electric Vehicle Charging Station Applications
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Plan Check Correction Sheet Water Tanks for Fire Protecting 2023 LAPC
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Plan Check Worksheet for Hydro-Electric Cabled Elevators
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FAQ Search Results

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The City of Los Angeles is making pre-approved standard plans available as an additional resource to help property owners rebuild more quickly following the January 2025 Wildfires.

 

These plans are not open-source; they remain the intellectual property of the architects, engineers, designers or builders who developed them.

 

The City’s role is to provide a streamlined permitting pathway by pre-reviewing these plans for building code compliance, thereby reducing plan check times.

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No. These plans remain the intellectual property of the architects, engineers, designers or builders (design owner) who developed them.

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Explore extensive information and valuable insights! Uncover data from various city departments, including LADBS programs. Visit the City's Open Data Platform: https://data.lacity.org/ Search and view Building and Safety Permit data.

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Below is a general list of items needed for the ADU Standard Plan review and approval:

  • Floor plan – Show proposed work and room layout, door and window sizes and location.

  • Building Elevations/Cross Sections – Exterior elevations for new construction, detailing all exterior walls, projections and cross sections in each direction.

  • Foundation Plan – Show foundation size (width and depth), along with slab on grade thickness. For raised floor construction, show size and direction of floor joists.

  • Roof Framing – Show roof rafters and ceiling joists’ size and direction.

  • Energy Conservation – Energy calculations and Certificate of Compliance (CF1R). See energy.ca.gov/title24 for more information. Compliance documents shall be provided for all design orientations/directions.

  • Green Code – material specifications, notes and details.

     

More detailed information can be found in our Document Submittal Requirement for a New Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Standard Plan.

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Below is a general list of items needed for the Standard Plan review and approval:

  • Floor plan – Show proposed work and room layout, door and window sizes and location.

  • Building Elevations/Cross Sections – Exterior elevations for new construction, detailing all exterior walls, projections and cross sections in each direction.

  • Foundation Plan – Show foundation size (width and depth), along with slab on grade thickness. For raised floor construction, show size and direction of floor joists.

  • Roof Framing – Show roof rafters and ceiling joists’ size and direction.

  • Energy Conservation – Energy calculations and Certificate of Compliance (CF1R). See energy.ca.gov/title24 for more information. Compliance documents shall be provided for all design orientations/directions.

  • Green Code – material specifications, notes and details.

     

More detailed information can be found in our Document Submittal Requirements for a New Single Family Dewlling (SFD)/Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Standard Plan Designs.

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Yes

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No, the LAMC does not permit deviations from development standards provided in LAMC 12.22 A.33 (Exceptions) because these provisions are already exceptions from the Code; however, an ADU may request the appropriate entitlement(s) to deviate from development standards provided in other sections of the Code that are not specifically defined in LAMC 12.22 A.33.

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The ADU can be added on the second floor as long as the overall resulting building height is within 110% of the existing building height.

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A homeowner can obtain a permit and do the construction, alteration or repair on his/her house and accessory buildings or facilities thereto, if the owner resides or will reside in the dwelling.

Read more on our "About the Construction Process" page.

 


 

 

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Homeowners wishing to use a standard plan must coordinate directly with the plan author for access and to understand any associated costs. The City’s role is to provide a streamlined permitting pathway by pre-reviewing these plans for building code compliance, thereby reducing plan check times.

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