In short
- 1,520 ADU permits since 2018.
- 233 in 2025, down 7% from 2024.
- Typical permit time: 276 days from application to permit (median of 794 permits with both dates recorded).
About this data
- Source: California HCD Housing Element Annual Progress Reports. The state data does not say whether an ADU is detached, attached, a garage conversion or a JADU, so most records show as 'unknown'. Permit valuations are not published in this source. Timelines use the application date the city reported to the state, matched to the permit where possible; some cities report their planning application date, so timelines can include planning review. Each project is counted once, in its building-permit year (or completion year when no permit date was reported).
Permits by year
Permits by year and type (table)
| Year | All ADU permits | Garage conversions | Detached |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 62 | — | — |
| 2019 | 110 | — | — |
| 2020 | 43 | — | — |
| 2021 | 317 | — | — |
| 2022 | 241 | — | — |
| 2023 | 263 | — | — |
| 2024 | 251 | — | — |
| 2025 | 233 | — | — |
“—” means the source for that year does not report ADU type.
Read more: ADU types explained
Not counted above: 22 approved projects with no building permit reported yet.
ADU rules in Burbank
State law check: HCD sent a technical-assistance letter (December 5, 2025) noting the city's ordinance on file may be outdated; no formal findings.
| Rule | Burbank's code | State law guarantees |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum size | 850 sq ft (studio or 1 bedroom) or 1,000 sq ft (2+ bedrooms), attached or detached. Junior ADU 500 sq ft. | At least 850 sq ft (1,000 sq ft with 2+ bedrooms) must be allowed; an 800 sq ft detached ADU always is. Conversions of existing space have no size cap. Junior ADU: up to 500 sq ft. |
| Height | Detached: 17 ft (18 ft near transit, plus 2 ft for roof pitch). Over a garage: 23 ft. | Detached: at least 16 ft (18 ft within ½ mile of transit, plus 2 ft for a matching roof). Attached: 25 ft or the zone's limit, whichever is lower. |
| Setbacks | 4 ft side and rear; front setback matches the street's, unless that would block an 800 sq ft ADU. 5 ft between buildings. | No more than 4 ft side and rear; none for conversions of existing space. |
| Parking | 1 space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less, unless exempt; no replacement parking. | At most 1 space; none within ½ mile of transit and in several other cases. No replacement parking when a garage is converted. |
| Owner living on site | The ADU owner-occupancy rule is suspended under state law. Junior ADU: owner-occupancy covenant. | None for ADUs. A junior ADU that shares a bathroom with the house requires the owner to live in one of them. |
| How many on a single-family lot | One ADU plus one junior ADU (unless state law allows more). | One ADU converted from existing space, one junior ADU and one new detached ADU (up to 800 sq ft). From January 1, 2027: two new detached ADUs (a city then needn't allow a junior ADU on that lot). |
| Short-term rentals | More than 90 days, for ADUs and junior ADUs. | No guarantee: cities may require rentals of more than 30 days, and junior ADUs can't be short-term rentals. |
- Mountain Fire Zone (R-1 and R-1-H): only one ADU up to 800 sq ft, or one junior ADU.
- R-1-H horse-keeping zone: conversions only; the rear 35 ft is kept for horses.
- The city runs a pre-approved ADU plan program.
Where local rules conflict with state law, state law controls. Sources: Burbank Municipal Code 10-1-620.3 · HCD letter (Dec 5, 2025); HCD's list of review letters; California ADU rules. Verified Sep 29, 2026. Rules change and every lot is different: confirm with the city before you design.
How long permits take
| Type | Median days, application to permit | Middle half | Permits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unclassified | 276 | 200 – 444 | 794 |
Middle half: the range covering the middle 50% of permits (a quarter were lower, a quarter higher).
Read more: How long ADU permits take in Los Angeles (and other cities) · How long ADUs take to build
What neighbors declared as cost
Cost data (declared permit valuations) is not published for this area in these sources.
Read more: How to choose an ADU builder
An ADU builder serving Burbank? Feature your business on this page.
Questions about ADUs in Burbank
How many ADUs have been permitted in Burbank?
Public records show 1,520 ADU permits in Burbank from 2018 through 2025. 233 in 2025, down 7% from 2024. These counts come from the city's reports to the state, which place a project in its completion year when no permit date was reported.
How long does an ADU permit take in Burbank?
Among the 794 ADU permits in Burbank with both dates recorded, half were issued within 276 days of the application; the middle half took 200 to 444 days. That includes plan-check corrections and resubmittals, not just the review itself.
Can I build an ADU on my property in Burbank?
California law allows ADUs on most lots with a house, including in Burbank, but what you can build depends on your lot, local rules and utilities. This site shows permits, not eligibility. See California ADU rules.
Where do I apply for an ADU permit in Burbank?
Apply with the City of Burbank's Community Development Department, which also runs a pre-approved ADU plan program. Official ADU page.
How current is this?
- State annual progress reports: through 2025 (published once a year)
How our data works · Download the data · Free to reuse with credit to SoCal ADU Tracker (socaladutracker.com), under CC BY 4.0.