In short
- 38 ADU permits since 2019.
- 15 in 2025.
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).
- Laguna Hills' state reports include no ADUs for 2018 or 2023.
Permits by year
Permits by year and type (table)
| Year | All ADU permits | Garage conversions | Detached |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 | — | — |
| 2020 | 3 | — | — |
| 2021 | 3 | — | — |
| 2022 | 3 | — | — |
| 2023 (incomplete report) | 0 | — | — |
| 2024 | 10 | — | — |
| 2025 | 15 | — | — |
“—” means the source for that year does not report ADU type.
Read more: ADU types explained
ADU rules in Laguna Hills
State law check: HCD letters (August 19 and October 8, 2025) say the 2018 ordinance is outdated and noncompliant. The city told HCD it processes ADUs under state law; HCD asked it to repeal the old rules, which are still in the code. State law governs where they differ.
| Rule | Laguna Hills' code | State law guarantees |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum size | Attached: no more than 50% of the house's living area or 1,200 sq ft. Detached: 1,200 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 | The zone's limit; the 2018 code sets no ADU height. | 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 | The zone's setbacks; none for a converted garage; 5 ft side and rear for an ADU over an existing garage. | No more than 4 ft side and rear; none for conversions of existing space. |
| Parking | 1 space per ADU, unless exempt (transit, historic district, inside existing space, car share). Garage or carport spaces removed for an ADU must be replaced. | 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 owner must live in the house or the ADU, with a recorded deed restriction. | 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 per lot. | 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 | 30 days or more. | No guarantee: cities may require rentals of more than 30 days, and junior ADUs can't be short-term rentals. |
- Per HCD's August 2025 letter, the city intends to process ADU applications under state law rather than this 2018 code.
- The city offers pre-approved detached ADU plans: a 389 sq ft studio, a 499 sq ft 1-bedroom and a 789 sq ft 2-bedroom.
Where local rules conflict with state law, state law controls. Sources: Laguna Hills Municipal Code Chapter 9-68 · HCD letter (August 19, 2025) · HCD letter (October 8, 2025); HCD's list of review letters; California ADU rules. Verified Oct 5, 2026. Rules change and every lot is different: confirm with the city before you design.
How long permits take
Application and issue dates are not published for this area in these sources.
Read more: 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 Laguna Hills? Feature your business on this page.
Questions about ADUs in Laguna Hills
How many ADUs have been permitted in Laguna Hills?
Public records show 38 ADU permits in Laguna Hills from 2019 through 2025. 15 in 2025. 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.
Can I build an ADU on my property in Laguna Hills?
California law allows ADUs on most lots with a house, including in Laguna Hills, 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 Laguna Hills?
Apply with the City of Laguna Hills through its online permit portal; the city offers pre-approved plans for detached ADUs. 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.