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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Common Permits (prepared by HCIDLA)
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Communication Public Utility Systems
IB/P/EC 2017-011 - Effective
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Communication Public Utility Systems
IB/P/EC 2020-011 - Effective
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complaint infosheet_for website
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Composite Steel Concrete Construction
IB/P/BC 2023-046 - Effective
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Computer Software Program Solutions
IB/P/GI 2023-018 - Effective
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Concrete Proportioning and Admixture Qualification
IB/P/BC 2017-031 - Effective
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Concrete Proportioning and Admixture Qualification
IB/P/BC 2020-031 - Effective
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Concrete Vaults - Permits Not Required
IB/P/BC 2023-017 - Effective
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Conduit Only Permit (Early Start Permit)
PC/ELEC/Mod54-2017
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FAQ Search Results

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Generally speaking, no. A Title 24 plan check is typically only for plan check fees pertaining to energy compliance. Permit fees are only pre-calculated when the plan check also includes the power system, or when the applicant knows what he/she wants to obtain on a permit at time of plan check approval stage and plans to obtain the permit at that time.

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No. When equipment is identified or recognizable as suitable for a specific purpose, function, use, environment, application, or so forth either by its listing or by the code, the equipment must comply accordingly. In this case, the equipment could only be used as part of a food display and its use for any other purpose would void its listing or may be in violation of code.

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You will need to review the corrections and provide responses to each corrections and revise your plans accordingly. Once you are ready, you can call your plan checker to schedule a meeting (called "Verification") to go over the corrections.

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There is no set time and it changes based on our workload. You can ask staff who are processing your plan submittal to give you an idea on the number of the working days it will take to assign your plans. This waiting time is called backlog. Our goal is to reduce the backlog days for every project.

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Yes, but only when the area of the open window and the distance from the window to the furthest location in the room comply with the requirements of Title 24.

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The inspector will issue to the correction for you to return to plan check and correct the error.

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Yes, if it complies with the definition of a carriage unit per LABC 202.

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Guest rooms in a hotel for sleeping purposes and any related use is considered a residential project.

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Yes, a lift is required at public swimming pools.

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An accessible route must be provided to connect each story and mezzanine in a multi-story building (see exceptions per 11B-206.2.3).

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