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Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in Los Angeles, California

An Accessory Dwelling Unit, is a small, separate living space on the same property as a single-family home. Los Angeles regulates ADUs under Ordinance 186,481.

Verified 2026-09-13 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Per the City: 'three types of ADU’s have been defined to include: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs), and Movable Tiny Houses'.

Required documents

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

    Fee schedule

    Plan check and permit fees
    Los Angeles publishes no static permit fee schedule. Show full citationLos Angeles publishes no static permit fee schedule. The City publishes a Permit Fee Calculator, which identifies itself as the 'Plan Check Fee Estimate System' and states: 'The fee amounts calculated using this application are estimates based on the current fee ordinance and are subject to change without notice. Final fees will be determined when the application is submitted.' No figure is recorded here because the City publishes an estimator rather than a table.
    Calculated per project by the City's Permit Fee Calculator; no schedule is published

    Review timeline

    Plan review
    Not published — contact the department

    How long did your Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit permit actually take in Los Angeles?

    Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

    Inspection process

    1. 1

      Inspection before concealment

      You must also call for an inspection before covering or concealing any work. Inspections may be requested online or by phone.

    Tips

    • The ordinance recognises three distinct forms, so the applicable rules depend on which one the project is.

    Frequently asked questions

    Los Angeles requires an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit for: Per the City: 'three types of ADU’s have been defined to include: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs), and Movable Tiny Houses'.. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) at (213) 473-3231 before starting work.

    In Los Angeles, the published Plan check and permit fees is: Calculated per project by the City's Permit Fee Calculator; no schedule is published. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

    Los Angeles does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) at (213) 473-3231 for current turnaround.

    Los Angeles requires 1 inspection(s) for an accessory dwelling unit (adu) permit, in order: Inspection before concealment. Schedule each through City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) ((213) 473-3231).

    Apply through City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) at Metro (Downtown) Development Services Center, 201 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Phone: (213) 473-3231. Office hours: Los Angeles does not publish one set of counter hours. LADBS features 5 Development Services Centers, 6 Inspection and Code Enforcement Offices, and 1 Test Laboratory. The City directs readers to the individual office: 'Please be sure to check business hours for each office as they may vary.'. Official information: https://dbs.lacity.gov/.

    Los Angeles, California has adopted: Los Angeles Municipal Code, administered by LADBS. A permit from LADBS is required for any private property construction, alteration, or repair work on buildings within the City of Los Angeles. NO EDITION YEAR IS ASSERTED HERE: this record does not state the City's adopting ordinance.. Local amendments apply — see the Los Angeles overview page for the full list.

    Sources & verification

    Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-13.

    Department & other records

    Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Los Angeles building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

    Property Access

    Los Angeles's permit history is searchable by address

    1,582,928 permits on record for Los Angeles, 1988–2026 — searchable by street address, with permit type, status, issued date and valuation where the city publishes them.

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    Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permit in other cities

    Broomfield, ColoradoCentennial, ColoradoHamilton, MontanaHayden, IdahoLivingston, MontanaLoveland, ColoradoOro Valley, ArizonaPocatello, Idaho

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