ADU permit process in Los Angeles, California
Last verified August 29, 2026
Prepared by GetYourPermit editorial teamReport an error
This guide includes the portions of the City permit process that passed our evidence review. Confirm project-specific requirements with the City before submitting.
Where to apply
- Department
- Department of Building and Safety
- Permit portal
- City Online Portal System
- Contact
- 311
Step by step
- 1
Prepare site-adapted ADU Standard Plan package and submit via ePlanLA
Prepare City checklist items and approved Standard Plan Use ePlanLA at 1 Standard Plan Way Submit a separate project for each ADU ADU Standard Plan permit plan-check submittal
- 2
LADBS plan check of site-adapted Standard Plan package
Provide additional information if LADBS requires it Plan-check review
What you need to submit
- ADU Standard Plan Building Permit submittal package
- ADU Standard Plan design plans, calculations and supporting documents — only in some cases
Pre-approved ADU plans
Use Los Angeles’s official page to confirm which designs, site conditions, and supplemental documents qualify. Plan-check timing still depends on the project and city review.
View pre-approved plansProject-specific next step
Build your Los Angeles permit report
Choose your ADU type and size to bring the City process, researched permit fees, and early construction budget into one planning report.
Sources for this guide
Additional city reference pages
- CityFee Schedules
The current LADBS landing page directs users to the official valuation table and interactive Permit Fee Calculator; it does not itself publish a complete building-permit fee formula.
Accessed August 28, 2026
The City table assigns dollars-per-square-foot valuation factors by dwelling quality and construction type; the applicable row must be selected for the project before a fee can be calculated.
Accessed August 28, 2026
The official landing page identifies this calculator as the permit-fee estimate tool.
Accessed August 28, 2026