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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Accessibility Details for Doors, Maneuvering Spaces and Routes
IB/P/BC 2020-086 - Effective
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Accessibility Details for Restrooms and Drinking Fountains
IB/P/BC 2020-087 - Effective
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Accessibility Details for Tubs and Showers
IB/P/BC 2020-088 - Effective
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Accessibility Details for Obstructions, Reach Ranges, Telephones and Baby Changing Stations
IB/P/BC 2020-089 - Effective
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Accessibility Details for Curbs, Blended Transitions, Islands and Detectable Warnings
IB/P/BC 2020-090 - Effective
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Accessibility Details for Signs
IB/P/BC 2020-091 - Effective
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Plumbing Fixtures
IB/P/BC 2020-095 - Effective
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General Notes for Commercial Accessibility
IB/P/BC 2020-143 - Effective
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Footing/Building Setbacks From Slopes
IB/P/BC 2023-001 - Effective
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Retaining or Slough Wall (4 foot High or Less)
IB/P/BC 2023-002 - Effective
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FAQ Search Results

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A modification is issued/processed by LADBS. A variance is handled by the Department of City Planning, when a project is not a by-right project.

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According to Electrical Code article 100, an equipment or material that is tested by an approved testing agency meeting appropriate designated standards are considered as listed equipment, provided that also, the testing agency publishes a list of these products and the product bears the listing mark or logo of the testing agency.

Electrical equipment that is evaluated and tested by the City of Los Angeles Electrical Test Lab conforming to the requirement of the adopted standards and codes are considered as approved equipment.



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General or laboratory approval is generally for identical mass produced equipment with a one-year approval time, after which a re-evaluation would be required for another one-year period, if the applicant would like to maintain approval.

One-Time approval is for field installed product(s) at a specific location. The approval for the product is limited to the location in which it's installed, but no annual renewal is required, as is the case of general approval. 



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A Title 24, Part 6 plan check is only for California state energy regulation compliance of indoor or outdoor lighting, desegregation and monitoring of electrical loads, and distribution equipment or service(s). The regular plan check involves building and premises wiring systems and may include Title 24, Part 6 energy regulation plan check.

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2319 Dorris Place
Los Angeles, CA 90031


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The cost can range anywhere from 10¢ (cents) per page to $1.50 per page.

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The cost is $137.80 for a TSE permit.

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  • All plans and drawings need to be uploaded and submitted as single files in any of the following file formats/extensions: ADOBE, Vectored .PDF, .PDF

  • All plans and drawing files must be saved and uploaded in LANDSCAPE page layout. 

  • Drawing should be true-type fronts.

  • The PDF files should have bookmarks based on sheet numbers for each sheet numbers for each sheet of the drawing set.

  • Properly formatted and compressed PDF files should not exceed 50 megabytes (50MB) per file.

  • A Plan Title (Cover) Page is require for each plan set.

  • A Sheet Index must be included on the Plan Title Page.

  • The upper right corner of ALL Plan and Title pages must be reserved for LADBS approval stamp (2.25” from the right edge, 0.25” from the top). See below sample for the Approval Stamp space and Sheet Index placement on the Title page.

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LADBS offers a money-back guarantee on Express Permit times. If a walk-in customer waits longer than 30 minutes for service to begin, or if the customer waits longer than 60 minutes for the processing of the permit from the time that service begins, then the permit fee is waived.

Express Permit

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A point measured from the lowest adjacent grade to a point at the top of the building.

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