The minimum size of an efficiency unit is 220 square feet, plus a code compliant closet and bathroom; however, the Ordinance does not specify any minimum square footage requirements  for an ADU or JADU, except for Movable Tiny Houses (MTHs). This provision refers to any other current or future zoning ordinances that would prohibit an efficiency unit ADU

Once you have your plans ready for submittal, you can submit them through our Eplan portal using the address '1 Standard Plan Way'. Please include in the work description, 'ADU Standard Plan Program: X-Story, X-bedroom(s) with options. (XXX sf)'. You will need to submit plans for each unit you are proposing. 

The evaluation time frame is based on the complexity of the product. Contact the Engineering Research Section for the current status. The process to obtain a Los Angeles City Research Report consists of the following steps:

1. Determine if a LARR is required or not using the Information Bulletin P/BC 2020-119.
2. Submit the following information to the Los Angeles City Department of Building and Safety Engineering Research Section: product literature describing how your product is to be used, substantiating data (i.e. test reports by approved 3rd party testing agency, engineering analysis), a completed application form for new LARR, along with a check in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank.
3. Once this information is received, your application package will be reviewed for completeness. If any deficiencies are determined, a letter will be sent to the applicant stating the deficiencies requiring correction or completeness.
4. After determining the application package is complete, the application will be logged in and assigned a log number and placed in line for review.
5. The substantiating data submitted will be evaluated to determine if it is at least the equivalent of the prescribed devise, material, or method of construction specified by the Los Angeles City Building Code in terms of quality, effective time period of fire resistance, strength, effectiveness, durability, and safety.
6. After reviewing the substantiating data, the research engineer assigned to the application will write a letter stating their comments and the information needed to complete the evaluation and/or correct the evaluation, if necessary.
7. Upon resolution of all comments a draft copy of the Los Angeles City Research Report will be written. The draft copy of the Research Report will be e-mailed to the applicant for their review and comment. In addition, a supplemental fee will be sent to the applicant to bill the additional reviewing hours for the report approval beyond the first 6 hours.
8. After all comments from the applicant have been resolved and the supplemental fee has been paid by the applicant, the Research Report will be submitted to the Chief of the Engineering Research Section for final review and approval. A signed copy of the Los Angeles City Research Report will be mailed to the applicant and a copy will be posted on the LADBS web site.

The evaluation time frame is based on the complexity of the product.  Contact the Building Research Section for the current status.

The process to obtain a Los Angeles City Research Report consists of the following steps:

1. Determine if a LARR is required or not, using the Information Bulletin P/BC 2020-119
2. Submit the following information to the Los Angeles City Department of Building and Safety Building Research Section:
   1. Product literature describing how your product is to be used
   2. Substantiating data (i.e. test reports by approved 3rd party testing agency, engineering analysis)
   3. A completed application form for new LARR (PC-STR.App18)
   4. A check in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank.
3. Once this information is received, your application package will be reviewed for completeness. If any deficiencies are determined, a letter will be sent to the applicant stating the deficiencies requiring correction or completeness.
4. After determining the application package is complete, the application will be logged in and assigned a log number and placed in line for review.
5. The substantiating data submitted will be evaluated to determine if it is at least the equivalent of the prescribed device, material, or method of construction specified by the Los Angeles City Building Code in terms of quality, effective time period of fire resistance, strength, effectiveness, durability, and safety.
6. After reviewing the substantiating data, the research engineer assigned to the application will write a letter stating their comments and the information needed to complete the evaluation, if necessary.
7. Upon resolution of all comments, a draft copy of the Los Angeles City Research Report will be written. The draft copy of the Research Report will be e-mailed to the applicant for their review and comments. In addition, a supplemental fee will be sent to the applicant to bill the additional reviewing hours for the report approval beyond the first 6 hours. 
8. After all comments from the applicant have been resolved and the supplemental fee has been paid by the applicant, the Research Report will be submitted to the Chief of the Building Research Section for final review and approval. A signed copy of the Los Angeles City Research Report will be mailed to the applicant and will also be posted on the LADBS website under "LA Research Reports".

The Zoning Code Manual and Commentary PDF is an interpretation of the Zoning code. It is a useful tool to answer more specific questions regarding Zoning.

• To obtain a building permit, you will need to provide a completed Building Permit Application, a copy of the LA City approved stamped ADU Standard Plan, and plans indicating how the Standard Plan will be adapted to a specific site. This should include the necessary details indicating how and where the structure will be built in a specific location (i.e. plot plan showing setbacks, etc.).
• All applications and plans must then be submitted at one of our offices or uploaded/submitted via Eplan. No structural calculations are required. The Department will review all of the plans and issue a building permit once it is verified site-specific factors for the property, including compliance with the Zoning Code and foundation requirements.

• To obtain a building permit, you will need to provide a completed Building Permit Application, a copy of the LA City approved stamped SFD Standard Plan, and plans indicating how the Standard Plan will be adapted to a specific site. This should include the necessary details indicating how and where the structure will be built in a specific location (i.e. plot plan showing setbacks, etc.).
• All applications and plans must then be submitted at one of our offices or uploaded/submitted via Eplan. No structural calculations are required. The Department will review all of the plans and issue a building permit once it is verified site-specific factors for the property, including compliance with the Zoning Code and foundation requirements.
• Building Permit Checklist

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.

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.

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.