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

Filtered categories:

General Notes for Single-Family Dwelling
IB/P/GI 2020-022
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General Request for Modification Form regarding Disabled Access
PC/DAD/Mod002-2014
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General Request for Modification Form regarding Disabled Access (for 2011 Codes)
PC/DAD/Mod2-2011
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Grading Bond Instructions and Execution Guides
GGI1-2015 - Effective
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Grading Permit Cash Bond
GGI/05-2019 - Effective
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Grading Permit Surety Bond
GGI6-2016 - Effective
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Grading Plan Check and Permit Fees
PC/GRAD/GGI16-2009 - Effective
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Grading/Retaining Wall/Shoring Plan check Correction Sheets
PC\GRADCorr.Lst.011-2021
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Grading/Retaining Wall/Shoring Plan Check Correction Sheets
PC/GRAD/Corr.Lst.11-2020
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Graywater Systems for Residential Buildings
IB/P/PC 2017-012 - Effective
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FAQ Search Results

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A Title 24, Part 6 plan check is only for California state energy regulation compliance of indoor or outdoor lighting, desegregation and monitoring of electrical loads, and distribution equipment or service(s). The regular plan check involves building and premises wiring systems and may include Title 24, Part 6 energy regulation plan check.

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2319 Dorris Place
Los Angeles, CA 90031


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The cost can range anywhere from 10¢ (cents) per page to $1.50 per page.

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The cost is $137.80 for a TSE permit.

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  • All plans and drawings need to be uploaded and submitted as single files in any of the following file formats/extensions: ADOBE, Vectored .PDF, .PDF

  • All plans and drawing files must be saved and uploaded in LANDSCAPE page layout. 

  • Drawing should be true-type fronts.

  • The PDF files should have bookmarks based on sheet numbers for each sheet numbers for each sheet of the drawing set.

  • Properly formatted and compressed PDF files should not exceed 50 megabytes (50MB) per file.

  • A Plan Title (Cover) Page is require for each plan set.

  • A Sheet Index must be included on the Plan Title Page.

  • The upper right corner of ALL Plan and Title pages must be reserved for LADBS approval stamp (2.25” from the right edge, 0.25” from the top). See below sample for the Approval Stamp space and Sheet Index placement on the Title page.

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LADBS offers a money-back guarantee on Express Permit times. If a walk-in customer waits longer than 30 minutes for service to begin, or if the customer waits longer than 60 minutes for the processing of the permit from the time that service begins, then the permit fee is waived.

Express Permit

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A point measured from the lowest adjacent grade to a point at the top of the building.

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Lands identified to be located within a Hillside Area based on the latest BOE Basic Grid Map A-13372, per Section 91.7003 of the Building Code. This map is on file in the official City documents located in the Office of the City Clerk in the Council File No. 121222 Sup. #1. An area where grading is only allowed in conjunction with an approved subdivision, a building permit or where the site has already been developed with an existing main building. Other requirements for grading also apply, including haul routes, postings, etc.

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Land designated as “Hillside Area” on the Department of City Planning Hillside Area Map (12.21A.17), which can be viewed on NavigateLA. The area where construction projects are subject to the “Baseline Hillside Ordinance."

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The issuance fee is $453.00.

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