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.
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)
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)
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.
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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For the purpose of this provision, in conjunction means when a building permit application to remove covered parking and a building permit application for the construction of an ADU on the same Lot are submitted at the same time, or where one building permit application is submitted while the other building permit application or building permit is still open and valid.
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The defined passageway and space between buildings regulation does not apply to the ADU or any residential building on the same Lot during the approval or construction of an ADU, whether through a zoning review, building permit plan check or inspection. In the event that new (non-ADU) structures or additions to structures are constructed on the site subsequent to the creation of the ADU, any applicable regulations pertaining to passageways or space between buildings would apply to the new structure or addition, consistent with the Zoning Code standards in place at the time that the plan check fee for the structure or addition is paid in accordance with LAMC 13B.10.1.B.2.
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No, this provision applies if either additional dwelling units or guest rooms are added to a lot after the creation of the ADU or JADU.
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A JADU shall be identified as a JADU on Building Permits, Certificate of Occupancy and other pertinent City records. The addition of a JADU changes the designation of the One-Family Dwelling to a One-Family Dwelling and JADU. For purposes of any fire or life protection ordinance or regulation, a JADU shall not be considered a separate or new dwelling unit per GC 65852.22(d). However, JADUs may be counted as housing units in reports to the Department of Finance as well as for the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) and other housing unit reporting.
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Yes
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Los Angeles County Tax Assessor’s records may be used to establish the square footage of the single-family dwelling for the purpose of calculating the required impact fee for the ADU.
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The fee must be proportional to the average size of all dwelling units on the Lot. Floor plans showing the sizes of all units may be required to make this determination. An applicant may choose to pay the full fee in lieu of providing these plans.
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Square footage, square-feet and size are used in the ADU Ordinance to refer to various direct ADU size regulations (such as the 1,200 square foot limitation). These terms refer to the definition of Floor Area in LAMC 12.03, but does not include the definition of Residential Floor Area (RFA), nor does it include any non-conditioned spaces such as porches, patios or breezeways with solid or lattice roofs. Physically connected spaces that are conditioned but do not have an interior connection to the ADU are also not counted as ADU square footage. This definition does not apply to a Movable Tiny House (MTH), which is subject to distinct size provisions as described in the definition of a MTH.
Indirect limits on ADU size through other zoning provisions such as Floor Area Ratio (including RFA in the R1, RE, RS and RA zones) or lot coverage may apply separately which may further limit allowable ADU square footage. Refer to LAMC 12.22 A.33(b) for more information on applicable development standards.
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Only products that have either a Laboratory or General Approval (no one-time approvals) may be subject to annual renewal. About 60 days before an approval expires, the original applicant needs to take the following actions:
- Submit a completed renewal application form (PC-ELEC-App.12). Original signature is required.
- Submit the application fee as marked on the application form. Make check payable to “The Department of Building and Safety, City of Los Angeles.”
- Submit a current production sample of the equipment along with an explanation if there were any changes to the equipment from the previous approval.
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Submit an “Application for Testing or Evaluating Mechanical Equipment” (found on the "Mechanical Test Lab (MTL)" page) to LADBS-MTL, check the box “renewal” and pay the fees.
Additional information, tests, and/or engineering analysis may be required, in which case written comments will be sent to the applicant.
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