Los Angeles (City) ADU Guide
A Comprehensive Guide to ADU Regulation and Zoning Policy in Los Angeles, CA
Welcome to the City of Stars, and Backyard Homes!
If you were looking for the darling city of ADU acceptance, look no further. While ADUs have generally gained traction around California (and elsewhere on the West coast) due to regulatory updates, none has done more for the progress of ADUs as a viable and affordable housing unit as Los Angeles.
According to the Sightline Institute, after ADU ordinances were effectively reprogrammed in 2016, Los Angeles saw an unbelievable increase from 117 permits issued in 2016 to 2,326 in 2017. That’s nearly a multiple of 20x! By 2018, that number reached 4,171 (that’s 36x the number of ADU permits from only 2 years prior. Coupled with on average larger lots and increasing support from LA City Planning, Los Angeles has continued to grow as the land of ADUs.
LA City and LA County both cover large geographic and demographic regions, which may seem intimidating for the average homeowner trying to build and ADU in their backyards. However, in our experience both LA City and LA County Planning Departments have been incredibly responsive and helpful when navigating the uncertain seems of planning and permitting. LA City has even created a dedicated resource called LA ADU Accelerator Program, a growing educational platform for homeowners and builders looking for common resources to assist in the creation of these innovative housing units.
If you’re building in LA City and can’t find the information you’re looking for in our permitting guide, you can visit LA’s ADU support pages here:
LA ADU Accelerator Program: https://adu.lacity.org/
Ordinance: http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2016/16-1468_ORD_186481_12-19-2019.pdf
General Notes on Los Angeles City ADU Regulation
Los Angeles City has currently updated it’s local planning requirements to reflect adjustments with compliance with the State ADU Mandate on January 2020
Recent 2019 updates to the California Building Code and California Residential Code are in effect
Bay Modular’s pre-approved Solo ADU Series is designed to meet the State ADU Mandate and is 100% compliant with the 2019 CBC/CRC
All Solo ADUs are pre-approved by the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD #1560585) and do not require any additional local plan check, inspection, or approval
All site preparation, foundation work, and utility upgrade & connection related to the installation of all Solo ADUs will still require local plan check, and inspection
Due to statewide updates to ADU regulations, it has never been easier or more affordable to build a permitted ADU
City of Los Angeles: Planning Department Contact Information
Metro/Downtown DSC
201 N. Figueroa Street, 4th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 482-7077
Email: planning.figcounter@lacity.org
Van Nuys DSC
6262 Van Nuys Boulevard, Suite 251
Van Nuys, CA 91401
Phone: (818) 374-5050
Email: planning.mbc2@lacity.org
West Los Angeles DSC
1828 Sawtelle Boulevard, 2nd Floor
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (310) 231-2901
Email: planning.westla@lacity.org
Detailed Los Angeles City ADU Regulations & Guidelines
ADU Size Restrictions (Updated January 2020)
ADUs: The Floor Area for a detached ADU shall not exceed 1,200 square feet. If there is an existing primary dwelling, the Floor Area of an attached ADU may not exceed 50% of the existing primary dwelling.
JADUs: A unit that is no more than 500 square feet in size and contained entirely within a single-family residence.
Movable Tiny Houses: No smaller than 150 and no larger than 430 square feet as measured within the exterior faces of the exterior walls.
Lot Size Restrictions (Updated January 2020)
There is no minimum lot size for an ADU so long as a legal Single Family or Multi-Family Residence exists on the property.
An ADU is not counted towards lot coverage, GSA or FAR. However, non-ADU structures shall adhere to the maximum zone or CSD lot coverage requirement.
Type of ADUs Allowed
Detached ADU, attached ADU, junior ADU, and moveable tiny house are all approved (Solo ADU Series are detached ADUs)
ADUs may be new construction or conversion of existing space (e.g. garage)
Junior ADUs must be conversion of existing space (e.g. garage)
California Building Code (CBC) & California Residential Code (CRC) 2019 is in effect
Number of ADUs Allowed (Updated January 2020)
Except as otherwise permitted by this subdivision, one ADU is permitted per residential lot. Single family residential lots may be permitted up to one ADU and one junior ADU.
Zoning Requirements (Updated January 2020)
ADUs are allowed in all standard residential zoning districts, except:
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone designated by the City of Los Angeles Fire Department pursuant to Government Code Section 51178
Hillside Area as defined by the Hillside Area Map pursuant to Government Code Section Section 12.03
In the event the ADU is located on a Through Lot or a Corner Lot, the lot must front on at least one street that is improved with a roadway width of 20 feet or more in unobstructed width after any associated dedication and improvement
Setback Requirements (Updated January 2020)
The maximum required setback for a detached new construction ADU shall be no more than 4 feet from the rear and side property lines, 6 feet from the primary dwelling
Parking Requirements (Updated January 2020)
No parking is required for an ADU that is:
Located within one-half mile walking distance of a public transit
Located within one block of a designated pickup and drop-off location of a car share vehicle
Located in an architecturally and historically significant district listed in or formally determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or California Register of Historical Resources or located in any City Historic Preservation Overlay Zone
Part of the proposed or existing primary residence or an accessory structure.
One parking space is required for an ADU that does not meet above conditions
ADU parking is allowed in any yard area or passageway
Fire Safety Requirements
The ADU shall not require fire sprinklers unless they are already installed in the primary dwelling or the property is located in a special fire or hillside overlay, in which case, they may be required.
Architectural Requirements
None specified.
Interior conversions of existing space are not subject to this requirement.
Height Requirements
16 feet
Ownership (Updated January 2020)
Through 2025, owner occupancy requirements will not apply to new ADUs, per SB13. Owner may rent out both the ADU and primary residence.
Rental Restrictions
None specified.
Utility Connections
ADUs shall not require utility connections that are separate from the primary residence.