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)

Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance (Ord 186481)

Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance (Ord 186481)
Implementation of 2019 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance and State ADU Law

Implementation of 2019 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance and State ADU Law

Implementation of 2019 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance and State ADU Law
Implementation of State Law SB 897 & AB 2221 Regarding ADUs and JADUs

Implementation of State Law SB 897 & AB 2221 Regarding ADUs and JADUs

Implementation of State Law SB 897 & AB 2221 Regarding ADUs and JADUs

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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Epoxy Injection of Cracks (for 2011 Codes)
PC/STR/Mod39-2013
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Equinekeeping
IB/P/ZC 2023-018
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Erection and Maintenance of Building in Areas Subject to Inundation or Physical Hazards Geological Nature
PC/STR/Aff21-2014
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Erection and Maintenance of Building in Areas Subject to Inundation or Physical Hazards Geological Nature (for 2011 Codes)
PC/STR/Aff21-2009
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EVCS - Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
PC/DAD/Corr.Lst.10-2020
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EVCS - Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
PC/DAD/Corr.Lst.10-2018
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Exams for Specialties Regulated Under Chapter 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code
IB/P/BC 2020-072 - Effective
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Exemptions from Liquefaction, Earthquake Induced Landslide, and Fault-rupture Hazard Zone Investigations
IB/P/BC 2023-044 - Effective
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Exemptions from Liquefaction, Earthquake Induced Landslide, and Fault-rupture Hazard Zone Investigations
IB/P/BC 2017-044 - Effective
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Existing Escalator Clearance Between the Skirt and the Step
IB/P/EV 2002-001 - Effective
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FAQ Search Results

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The proposed conversion will be subject to all zoning code and fire sprinkler regulations in place at the time of the proposed change of use. If the ADU or JADU was constructed within an existing  building, non-conforming rights from the building and use that existed prior to the ADU or JADU may be considered at the discretion of LADBS.

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Public Record Act Requests to the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) may include a wide variety of Departmental documents and materials (including print, photographic, and electronic formats) that were created or obtained by the department and are, at the time the request is filed, in the department's care and custody. The Public Records Act excludes certain categories of records from disclosure.

Please be advised that some LADBS documents are available in electronic format and can be obtained online from the Departments Official Document Repository, the LADBS Internet Document Imaging System (IDIS) here:

Search Online Building Records

 

Other documents that are not available online, but are indexed in IDIS can be obtained through the LADBS Public Records Counter by submitting a Research Request Form available here:

Forms and Publications - Service Requests

 

Copies of Building Plans (Blueprints) are also obtained through the LADBS Public Records Counter by submitting a Research Request Form.

 

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The BBSC is granted the authority by the Code and by the City Charter, to hear many kinds of appeals, including but not limited to the following:

  • Appeals of the Department’s action regarding requests for slight modifications of the Building Ordinances and/or Code Violation Inspection Fee Ordinances, pursuant to the authority described in LAMC Section 98.0403.1(b) 1.
  • Appeals from determinations, orders or actions of the Department pertaining to enforcement of specific ordinances, regulations or laws in individual cases, pursuant to LAMC Section 98.0403.1(b) 2 (i.e. error and abuse, except land use issues)
  • Applications for import/export of soil pursuant to LAMC Section 91.7006.7.4.
  • "Quasi-Judicial" proceedings pursuant to Division 89 of the LAMC (NOID, PNH)
  • Adoption of Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, HVAC, etc Ordinances
  • The BBSC does not hear cases related to land use ordinances. These cases shall be heard by the Department of City Planning in accordance with Section 12.26K of the Los Angeles Municipal Code.
  • Read more about the BBSC appeals process.

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Automobile parking is not required for ADUs created within an existing or proposed main home or an existing accessory structure. ADU parking may be required if the ADU exceeds the existing square footage of an existing main home (primary residence) or accessory structure, as well as for a newly constructed detached ADU. Other parking waivers in LAMC Section 12.22 A.33(c)(12)(i) may also apply.

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Generally, an appeal to the BBSC is scheduled for a hearing date within thirty days of receipt of the appeal to the BBSC. This time period will be extended in cases that require additional documentation and/or research. In the case of import/export applications, the scheduled hearing date is contingent upon receipt of the appropriate environmental clearance from the Department of City Planning (i.e. Categorical Exemption, Mitigated Negative Declaration, or Environmental Impact Report) AND responses from the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Works. 

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For Zoning and Building code questions, please contact our call center at 311 or (213) 473-3231 and ask to speak with the LADBS Zoning & Building Code Engineer. Some zoning information can also be found on ZIMAS.

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Anyone may initiate a request for public records.

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Yes. Other agency reviews and clearance requirements may still apply depending on your individual site conditions.

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Waiting for Soft-Story Content

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LAMC requires that notices are sent to other property owners that may be affected by the request when an appeal request is submitted to the BBSC. You may attend the hearing and are allowed to speak on any case on the agenda, by completing a speaker card on the day of the hearing. 

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