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.

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.

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:

1. Submit a completed renewal application form (PC-ELEC-App.12). Original signature is required.
2. Submit the application fee as marked on the application form. Make check payable to “The Department of Building and Safety, City of Los Angeles.”
3. Submit a current production sample of the equipment along with an explanation if there were any changes to the equipment from the previous approval.

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.

Zoning Information for a particular property can be obtained by:

• Permit & Inspection Report
• Generate a Zoning Information Letter
• ZIMAS (Zone Information Map Access System)
• The City's 3-1-1 Call Center refers zoning questions to our Engineers and Inspectors. Customers calling within Los Angeles County area may call 311. Customers calling outside of Los Angeles County who need information in the Los Angeles city jurisdiction may call (213) 473-3231

Complete the "Application for Renewal and Clerical Modification of General Approval form (PC-STR.App19)". Refer to "Instructions for Completing Application Forms for Research Reports (LARR) and Research Report Fees" for instructions.

The fee is listed on the application based on the type of product approval previously obtained. The renewal application extends the expiration date of the approval form the previous reevaluation due date listed on the current approval.

Projects that have paid a plan check fee and had their plans accepted by LADBS prior to the effective date of the ADU Ordinance (December 19, 2019) are provided a vested right to proceed with its development in compliance with the development rules and regulations in force on the date that the plan check fee was paid. Applicants that wish for their projects to take advantage of new provisions in the ADU Ordinance (and state law) will need to file a supplemental permit application, which will void the vesting rights under the prior development rules and subject the project to the new ADU Ordinance and any other new regulations.

LADBS Custodian of Records
201 N. Figueroa St., Suite 1325
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 482-6770
ladbs.custodianofrecords@lacity.org

Please visit the Contractors State License Board for information regarding hiring a contractor and to verify if a contractor is licensed and insured: http://cslb.ca.gov.

Please visit the Contractors State License Board for information regarding hiring a contractor and to verify if a contractor is licensed and insured: http://cslb.ca.gov.

Please visit the California Architects Board for information regarding licensed architects: http://cab.ca.gov

Please visit the California Architects Board for information regarding licensed architects: http://cab.ca.gov

Please visit the State of California’s Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists for information regarding licensed engineers: http://bpelsg.ca.gov. 

Please visit the State of California’s Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists for information regarding licensed engineers: http://bpelsg.ca.gov. 

Many building records can be researched online.

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

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:
 

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.

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.

To open a new public record request, please contact the LADBS Custodian of Records via email at
ladbs.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.

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

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.

Homeowners wishing to use a standard plan must coordinate directly with the plan author for access and to understand any associated costs

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

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.

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.

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.

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.