ADU permit cost and fee breakdown in Los Angeles, California
An early-budgeting estimate of the permit-related fees an accessory dwelling unit is likely to incur in Los Angeles. These are not official figures.
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ADU size
California generally exempts ADUs under 750 sq ft from development impact fees, so the 749 / 750 / 751 steps are worth comparing.
Estimated total
Estimated total permit fees at 750 sq ft
$4,300 – $39,750
Assumed construction valuation
$270,000
Used only to compute valuation-based fees. It is not a construction quote.
Where the money goes
- Building permit$1,000 – $5,000
The core permit issued by the city building department.
- Plan check$950 – $4,100
Review of your drawings for code compliance.
- Impact fees$0 – $8,000
Development impact fees. Often waived for ADUs under 750 sq ft.
- School district fees$0 – $6,000
Developer fees charged by the local school district.
- Utility connection$1,500 – $12,000
Water, sewer, and electrical connection or capacity charges.
- Inspection$500 – $2,500
Field inspections during construction.
- Technology & surcharges$50 – $350
Records, technology, and general plan surcharges.
- Other$300 – $1,800
Fees that do not fit the categories above.
The darker segment is the low end of the range; the full bar is the high end.
Read before you budget
- Most fee lines are working estimates rather than verified published city rates. Confirm every line with the city before budgeting.
- Totals do not vary by ADU size for this city, so the size selector will not change the estimate.
Fee items
Building permit
The core permit issued by the city building department.
LADBS building permit fee
$1,000 – $5,000
Estimated range
Appendix 2.4 Summary of Case Filing and Building Permitting Fees
Plan check
Review of your drawings for code compliance.
LADBS plan check fee
$800 – $3,500
Estimated range
Appendix 2.4 Summary of Case Filing and Building Permitting FeesEnergy plan check
$150 – $600
Estimated range
Los Angeles ADU Guide 2026: Permits, Costs & LADBS Requirements
Impact fees
Development impact fees. Often waived for ADUs under 750 sq ft.
California ADU impact-fee baseline
$0 – $8,000
Estimated range
California ADU law overview referenced by Los Angeles ADU guidance
School district fees
Developer fees charged by the local school district.
School district fee
$0 – $6,000
Estimated range
Los Angeles ADU Permits: Requirements, Costs & Timeline
Utility connection
Water, sewer, and electrical connection or capacity charges.
Utility connection fees
$1,500 – $12,000
Estimated range
ADU Cost Calculator Los Angeles — Estimate Your Build Cost
Inspection
Field inspections during construction.
LADBS Building Inspection Fee (Estimated)
$500 – $2,500
Estimated range
Technology & surcharges
Records, technology, and general plan surcharges.
Online permit processing / filing
$50 – $350
Estimated range
Los Angeles ADU Permits: Requirements, Costs & Timeline
Other
Fees that do not fit the categories above.
City Planning Administrative Clearance Fee (Estimated)
$300 – $1,800
Estimated range
These are estimates, not official fees
Use these figures for early budgeting only. They are not a quote, not a government fee determination, and not legal advice. Actual fees depend on your parcel, your plans, your construction valuation, your utility provider, and the fee schedule in force on the day your permit is issued. Confirm every number with Los Angeles before you commit money.
City reference pages for verification