Step 1: Know Your Property and Rules

First, confirm that your property is in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County by visiting CityStructure.com and entering your address. Then, review the ADU regulations to see if an ADU is allowed and what the specific rules are. You can find these details on the Department of Regional Planning’s ADU webpage at https://planning.lacounty.gov/adu.

Step 2: Design (Planning and Approval)

Reach Out

It's helpful to contact Regional Planning for guidance on ADU requirements in your area. You can visit their local office, email them at [email protected], call at 213-974-6411, or schedule a virtual appointment at https://planning.lacounty.gov.

Prepare Submittals

You'll need a full set of architectural plans, including site plans, floor plans, and elevations, to submit to Regional Planning. Working with an architect or designer is recommended.

Apply

Submit a "Regional Planning – Base Application" through EPIC-LA, including your land use application, architectural plans, and property photos. Detailed application instructions can be found on the "Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)" section of the Applications & Forms webpage.

Review

After submitting your application, Regional Planning will request an application fee. Once the fee is paid, the review process starts. If the plans need corrections, they will notify you, and you'll be given a deadline to resubmit. The process typically takes 60 days, but you can request an extension if needed.

Approval

After approval, Regional Planning will upload the approved plans to EPIC-LA, and you’ll receive a link to download them. You'll need these plans to apply for a building permit within two years. For Junior ADUs, a recorded covenant is required before approval.

Fees. Ministerial Site Plan Review costs between $1,025 and $1,252. (Fees may change in March 2024)

Timeline. 60 days from payment

Expiration. Plans are valid for two years, with the option for a one-year extension.

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Step 3: Financing

Homeowners in unincorporated areas may be eligible for financial support and technical assistance when building ADUs.

CalHFA ADU Grant Program

• Provides a grant of up to $40,000 to cover one-time costs related to building an ADU. These costs include site preparation, architectural plans, permits, soil testing, property surveys, impact fees, and energy assessments.
• To qualify, the homeowner must live in the home and have a low to moderate income based on CalHFA’s guidelines (up to $158,000 per year in LA County).
• The homeowner can rent the ADU to any tenant.

For more information, visit: https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/adu/

Neighborhood Housing Services of LA County

• Offers a loan of up to $98,500 to low-income homeowners earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI). The loan doesn’t need to be paid back for 30 years unless certain events happen. If the homeowner sells the home, takes cash out through refinancing, transfers ownership, or rents out the property, the loan must be repaid sooner.
• NHS also provides loans with low interest rates between 1% and 5% for households earning more than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
• The homeowner can rent the ADU to any tenant.

For more information, visit: https://nhslacounty.org/programs-and-services/affordable-lending/

United Dwelling

• Offers homeowners a full range of services, including help with planning and design, managing construction, flexible loan options, and property management.
• The units are built offsite and can be fully installed in about 30 days.

For more information, visit: https://www.uniteddwelling.com/

ADUs are a great way to add value to your property. Find out how much value could add to your property.

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