Los Angeles ADU permit requirements
Last reviewed: June 22, 2026
Quick answer
Permitting an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Los Angeles, California means pulling a building permit from the local authority that issues it. ArchPermit tracks 19 source-cited requirements (9 required, the rest conditional) for this jurisdiction. Submittals go through ePlanLA (Electronic Plan Review LA). These requirements were last reviewed June 22, 2026; confirm the exact forms and fees with the local permitting authority.
A source-cited checklist of what an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) permit package needs in City of Los Angeles. Every item links to its authoritative source; items that vary are flagged to confirm locally.
ADUs are approved ministerially (no discretionary review or hearing). LA's local ADU/JADU/Movable-Tiny-House standards are in Ordinance 186,481 / LAMC § 12.22 A.33; current code basis is the 2023 LA Building/Residential Codes. LADBS runs an ADU Standard Plan Program — choosing a pre-approved standard plan reduces the submittal to a title sheet, plot plan, and a copy of the approved plan. Plan-check applications expire 18 months from submittal.
- Architectural Plans (floor, roof, elevations, sections)required
Dimensioned floor plans (room sizes/uses), roof plan, exterior elevations, and cross-sections. Required for a custom (non-standard-plan) ADU.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Building Permit Application (signed)required
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.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - CALGreen / Green Building Forms (GRN set)required
Mandatory CALGreen Requirements Checklist (Form GRN 4) plus the green-building form set (e.g. GRN 1/11/14/16) incorporated into the plans.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Material Specificationsrequired
Material specifications for the structure, submitted as part of the document package.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Plot / Site Plan (to scale)required
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.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Plumbing / Mechanical / Electrical Plansrequired
Plans showing HVAC equipment location & BTU output, plumbing fixture locations/dimensions, and electrical outlets, panels, and smoke detectors.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Structural Plans (foundation, framing, details)required
Foundation plan, floor/roof framing plans, truss plans, and structural framing/connection details (shear walls, holdowns, footings).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Title 24 Energy Compliance (calcs + CF-1R / MF-1R + certs)required
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.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Title Sheet & Area Calculationsrequired
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.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - ADU-Conversion Documentationconditional
When converting an existing, detached, or unpermitted structure to an ADU/JADU, follow the additional submittal standards in Information Bulletin P/BC 2023-150.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Approved ADU Standard Plan (copy)conditional
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).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Architect / Engineer Wet Signature & Stampconditional
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.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Department Clearances (Clearance Summary Worksheet)conditional
Clearances from other departments per the attached Clearance Summary Worksheet (e.g. Fire, City Planning/Zoning, DWP easements, Coastal) — varies by site.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Grading Plans / Grading Pre-Inspectionconditional
Grading plans and a grading pre-inspection report where grading is involved; a separate grading application may be required.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - JADU Recorded Covenant / Deed Restrictionconditional
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.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Soils / Foundation / Geology Reportconditional
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.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Solar PV / Future Solar Zoneconditionalverify locally
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 — confirm applicability per project before relying on it.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Stormwater / LID Plan (LA Sanitation)conditional
A Low Impact Development stormwater plan cleared by LA Sanitation, where applicable.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Structural Calculationsconditional
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).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22