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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In/EPV/Form.008 Wheelchair Lift Mechanics
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Demand Factor of 0.65 to a Group of Reefer Receptacles
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IB/P/BC 2020-039 - Effective
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FAQ Search Results

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Many building records can be researched online.

You may also obtain copies of these documents in person at our following locations:

Downtown LA - Metro
201 N. Figueroa St.
1st Floor, Room 110		Van Nuys
6262 Van Nuys Blvd
2nd Floor, Room 251

 

Downtown LA - Metro201 N. Figueroa St.
1st Floor, Room 110 Van Nuys
6262 Van Nuys Blvd
2nd Floor, Room 251 Downtown LA - Metro
201 N. Figueroa St.
1st Floor, Room 110 Van Nuys
6262 Van Nuys Blvd
2nd Floor, Room 251 Downtown LA - Metro
201 N. Figueroa St.
1st Floor, Room 110Downtown LA - Metro
Downtown LA - Metro
201 N. Figueroa St
Van Nuys
6262 Van Nuys Blvd
2nd Floor, Room 251Van NuysVan Nuys
6262 Van Nuys Blvd
Research Request Form (.pdf)

 

By Mail

The Metro and Van Nuys offices accept requests for records (Research Request Form (.pdf)) by fax and/or mail. (Please allow 7 - 15 working days for processing). The following mailing addresses are:
 

Downtown LA - Metro

Department of Building and Safety
Building Records Section
201 N. Figueroa St
1st Floor, Room 110
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Fax # (213) 482-6862
Van Nuys

Department of Building and Safety
Building Records Section
6262 Van Nuys Blvd
2nd Floor, Room 251
Van Nuys, CA 91401

Fax # (818) 374-5013
 


 

The Metro and Van Nuys offices also provide training for individuals who wish to learn how to research for high volume jobs.

To schedule for training at the Metro office on Tuesday only, please call (213) 482-6899 or at the Van Nuys office on Wednesday only, please call (818) 374-4390.

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Check the equipment approval letter. Every approval letter indicates the models that are included. You may check the approval letters on the "LA Research Reports" page.

 

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To open a new public record request, please contact the LADBS Custodian of Records via email at
public.custodianofrecords@lacity.org.  In the subject line, please indicate that it is a Public Records Act Request. 
In the body, please include the property address, the specific documents you are requesting, and your contact information.

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Find all the forms to make a data request on our Service Requests forms page.

The areas that provide records include the Plan Check and Inspection System (PCIS) and Code Enforcement Information System (CEIS).

The forms package includes:

  • Request to Purchase PCIS/CofO/CEIS Data
  • Instructions for Obtaining PCIS/CofO/CEIS data
  • Record layout for Building Permit data from PCIS
  • Record Layout for Building Permit Data with CofO Data from PCIS
  • Record Layout for Mechanical and Electrical Permit Data from PCIS
  • Record Layout for Code Enforcement Cases from CEIS
  • Record Layout for Customer Service Request from CEIS

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Please contact the designer of the pre-approved plan to inquire about fees. Please see the link, ‘For further information on this standard plan click here.’ listed under each plan.

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Building and Safety addresses issues for single-family residential, commercial, industrial and vacant buildings inside the City of Los Angeles. You can report a code violation online, or call 3-1-1 to request an investigation

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During the regular plan check submittal process, an additional set of plans is collected and routed for Green Building section for review and approval process, if required.

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Height of an ADU is generally measured as any other structure would be measured under the LAMC, given the governing height limit standards in the applicable zone, Height District, Hillside Area, Specific Plan area, or other Overlay. For the purposes of applying the 16 feet maximum height standard as required by state law (referenced in LAMC Section 12.22 A.33(c)(1)(iii), (g)(1), and GC Section 65852.2(e)(1)(D)), height shall be measured according to the standard Zoning Code definition of Height of Building or Structure in LAMC Section 12.03.

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Walking distance is measured by the shortest distance that can be traveled by walking on public streets and sidewalks from a transit stop to the closest point on the subject Lot, as determined by  generally available mapping systems, such as Google Maps.

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Our goal is to assign an application in approximately 5 weeks to one of our engineers and an additional 3-7 weeks (depending on the complexity of the submittal) for the evaluation to be completed, a draft copy of the research report to be written, and the final copy of the research report signed. If the substantiating data is incomplete, such as missing test reports, testing not conducted by an approved testing agency, incomplete or missing engineering calculations, etc., the time to obtain a Los Angeles City Research Report may take longer. 

Expedite report review is available pursuant to section 98.0422 of the Los Angeles City Municipal Code. The amount of the fee for this service is in addition to the normal review fee and is equal to one-half of the review fee.

The intent of the expedite service is to reduce the time to assign your application from approximately 5-weeks to 2- weeks. 

For an estimate of the current assignment time for the expediting service you may call the Building Research Section at (213) 202-9812.

 

 

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