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.
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)
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)
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.
Additional Resources
Find ADU-related PDFs and forms here. For more options, visit our Forms and Publications page.
- Forms & Publications
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- The Appeal processing Fee is $130.00 for the first item plus $39.00 for each additional item and a 6% surcharge. Additional fees may be added for research ($104.00/hour) and inspection ($84.00/hour).
Board Fee is based on Table 4-A (found in LAMC Section 98.0403.2) (see Table 4-A below). The cost to file the appeal consists of the appeal processing fee and the Board fee combined.
Applications for import/export have a filing fee of $529.00 for the first 1000 cubic yards and $100.00 additional for each 1000 cubic yards or portion of 1000 cubic yards, plus surcharges (17% + $10.00). - Department of City Planning Case applications have an Appeal processing fee of $130.00 with a 6% surcharge. Additional fees may be added for research ($104.00/hour) and inspection ($84.00/hour)
| Table 4-A | |||||
| FILING FEES * FOR APPEALS | |||||
| FIRST ITEM FOR SINGLE BUILDING TYPE OF BUILDING ** | |||||
| GROUP OCCUPANCY | V | IV and II-N | III | I and II EXCEPT II-N | Each Additional Item |
| R-3 and U | $215 | $215 | $215 | $215 | $76 |
| A,B,E,F,H,I,M,S and R-1 and R-2 | $354 | $354 | $354 | $632 | $215 |
| All other filing fees not covered in the above schedule including appeals pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 12.26, shall be $500.00 for the first item and $150.00 for each additional item. | |||||
Table 4-A FILING FEES * FOR APPEALS FIRST ITEM FOR SINGLE BUILDING TYPE OF BUILDING ** GROUP OCCUPANCY V IV and II-N III I and II EXCEPT II-N Each Additional Item R-3 and U $215 $215 $215 $215 $76 A,B,E,F,H,I,M,S and R-1 and R-2 $354 $354 $354 $632 $215 All other filing fees not covered in the above schedule including appeals pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 12.26, shall be $500.00 for the first item and $150.00 for each additional item. Table 4-A Table 4-A FILING FEES * FOR APPEALS FILING FEES * FOR APPEALS FIRST ITEM FOR SINGLE BUILDING TYPE OF BUILDING ** FIRST ITEM FOR SINGLE BUILDING TYPE OF BUILDING ** GROUP OCCUPANCY V IV and II-N III I and II EXCEPT II-N Each Additional Item GROUP OCCUPANCY VIV and II-N III I and II EXCEPT II-N Each Additional Item R-3 and U $215 $215 $215 $215 $76 R-3 and U $215 $215 $215 $215 $76 A,B,E,F,H,I,M,S and R-1 and R-2 $354 $354 $354 $632 $215 A,B,E,F,H,I,M,S and R-1 and R-2 $354 $354 $354 $632 $215 All other filing fees not covered in the above schedule including appeals pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 12.26, shall be $500.00 for the first item and $150.00 for each additional item. All other filing fees not covered in the above schedule including appeals pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 12.26, shall be $500.00 for the first item and $150.00 for each additional item.
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Charges for copying public records are in accordance with California Public Records Act Sections 6253(b), 6253.9(a)(2), and 6253.9(b); Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 98.0405, and Los Angeles Administrative Code Sections 12.40 and 19.44 and are as follows:
The charge for copying public records maintained on paper is $1.00 per request (file or media type) and $0.10 per page for pages 8.5x14 inches or less, and $1.00 per page for pages of 11x17 inches.
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Building plan check and permit fees are based on the total project valuation (total cost of construction). Estimated building plan check and permit fees can be determined using our Online Permit Fee Calculator.
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Architects, Engineers, Designers and Builders are responsible for paying the necessary plan check and permit fees required to have their designs reviewed and pre-approved for inclusion in the Standard Plan Pilot Program.
For Homeowners, under the Mayor’s Emergency Executive Order No. 7, the collection of fees associated with permits are currently suspended for projects that are to repair, restore, demolish, or replace property or facilities substantially damaged or destroyed by the Wildfires; and shall only apply to property owners who held ownership of their homes on or before January 7, 2025.
This means homeowners can select and use these plans without paying additional city permitting fees, though other agency clearances may apply.
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The California Public Records Act requires an Agency to provide a response to the public records request within 10 calendar days.
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Two forms must be completed together:
- Application for New General Approval or Technical Modification (PC-STR.App18)
- Application for Renewal and Clerical Modification of General Approval (PC-STR.App19)
- Each form shall be processed separately with each its respective fee, specified on each application. One check may be made for the total or separate checks may be sent with each application..
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If your property is part of a Homeowners Association (HOA), your property may be subject to Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)—private agreements that may impose development standards or conditions different from those in the current Los Angeles Zoning Code. LADBS does not review or enforce CC&Rs, and the issuance of a permit does not indicate compliance with them.
Applicants are advised to contact their HOA prior to submitting plans to LADBS. Many HOAs may require plan review before submission to the City, which can save you from going through the permitting process for a project the HOA might ultimately reject.
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Section III of Alternate Building Materials Products Approval Requirements specifies the qualifications that Nationally Recognized Model Code Agency must meet for their Evaluation Report to be used as a basis for a Los Angeles City Research Report.
Currently, Evaluation Reports from the International Code Council Evaluation Services (ICC-ES) and, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials Uniform Evaluation Service (IAPMO UES) may be used as a basis for a Los Angeles City Research Report.
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When submitting your Building Permit application, please indicate the SFD Standard Plan number you are using in the work description.
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