Los Angeles ADU permit requirements

Dimensioned floor plans (room sizes/uses), roof plan, exterior elevations, and cross-sections. Required for a custom (non-standard-plan) ADU.

Application signed by the owner or a licensed contractor/authorized agent. Owner-builder requires a notarized/in-person signature; a contractor must show workers'-comp coverage, a state license, and LA business-tax registration.

Mandatory CALGreen Requirements Checklist (Form GRN 4) plus the green-building form set (e.g. GRN 1/11/14/16) incorporated into the plans.

Material specifications for the structure, submitted as part of the document package.

Fully dimensioned plot plan showing property lines, front/side/rear setbacks, separation between the ADU and the primary dwelling, drainage, north arrow, ADU dimensions/area, driveways, and parking.

Plans showing HVAC equipment location & BTU output, plumbing fixture locations/dimensions, and electrical outlets, panels, and smoke detectors.

Foundation plan, floor/roof framing plans, truss plans, and structural framing/connection details (shear walls, holdowns, footings).

Energy calculations and Title 24 forms (CF-1R, MF-1R, CF-GR, Insulation Certificate) from an Energy-Commission-approved program (Climate Zone 9), attached to the plans; HERS field verification as noted.

Cover sheet with the sheet index, vicinity map, floor-area calculations (Zoning/Building/School District), APN, legal description, zone, lot area, parking, fire-sprinkler info, and owner/applicant info.

When converting an existing, detached, or unpermitted structure to an ADU/JADU, follow the additional submittal standards in Information Bulletin P/BC 2023-150.

A complete copy of the LADBS-approved ADU Standard Plan drawings. Required only when using the Standard Plan Program path (in which case the custom plan sheets below are not needed).

CA-licensed architect/engineer signature and wet stamp on each plan sheet. Exempt: a one-story wood-frame ADU designed per IB P/BC 2023-004.

Clearances from other departments per the attached Clearance Summary Worksheet (e.g. Fire, City Planning/Zoning, DWP easements, Coastal). Varies by site.

Grading plans and a grading pre-inspection report where grading is involved; a separate grading application may be required.

For a Junior ADU only: a recorded 'Covenant and Agreement Regarding Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit' (owner-occupancy, one per lot, no separate sale), approved by LADBS before recording.

When required by site conditions, soils/foundation/geology report(s) must be approved by the LADBS Grading Section (per IB P/BC 2023-113 / 2023-116); the approval letter becomes part of the plans.

The LADBS ADU page states detached new-construction ADUs 'must have solar panels,' and the submittal bulletin lists a 'future solar zone.' The exact documentation and exemptions vary, so confirm applicability per project before relying on it.

A Low Impact Development stormwater plan cleared by LA Sanitation, where applicable.

Complete vertical + lateral load calculations signed by a CA-licensed architect/engineer. Exempt: a one-story wood-frame ADU designed per the Wood Frame Prescriptive Provisions (IB P/BC 2023-004).