In short
- 51,221 ADU permits on record, nearly all since 2018.
- 7,037 in 2025, up 8% from 2024.
- Typical permit time: 140 days from application to permit (median of 43,967 permits with both dates recorded).
- Most common kind: garage conversions (46% of permits with a known type).
- Median declared value: $56,000 (declared values understate the full cost).
About this data
- 2020 onward: LA Department of Building and Safety permits. Build type is classified automatically from permit descriptions (see each record's confidence). Before 2020: state HCD reports, build type unknown.
- Costs are declared permit valuations (single-ADU permits only), not final construction costs.
Permits by year
Permits by year and type (table)
| Year | All ADU permits | Garage conversions | Detached |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 (partial records) | 572 | — | — |
| 2018 | 5,123 | — | — |
| 2019 | 4,716 | — | — |
| 2020 | 3,448 | 1,927 | 726 |
| 2021 | 5,110 | 2,608 | 1,251 |
| 2022 | 7,121 | 3,367 | 1,909 |
| 2023 | 6,207 | 2,586 | 1,787 |
| 2024 | 6,518 | 2,593 | 1,942 |
| 2025 | 7,037 | 2,657 | 2,115 |
| 2026 so far | 5,369 | 1,768 | 1,714 |
“—” means the source for that year does not report ADU type.
Read more: ADU types explained
Not counted above: 1,002 approved projects with no building permit reported yet.
Not counted: 329 expired or cancelled permits.
ADU rules in Los Angeles
State law check: HCD found parts of the city's ADU ordinance out of line with state law (November 19, 2024), including its two-story cap and one-ADU rule; the city applies state law to state-law ADUs.
| Rule | Los Angeles' code | State law guarantees |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum size | Two paths. A state-law ADU: 800 sq ft detached, no cap for conversions. A city-ordinance ADU: 1,200 sq ft detached; attached 50% of the house (at least 850 or 1,000 sq ft). 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 | City-ordinance detached ADU: up to 2 stories within the zone's height limit. State-law detached ADU: 16 ft (18 ft near transit, plus 2 ft for roof pitch). Attached: 25 ft or the zone limit. | 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 for new construction; none for conversions. Detached ADUs go behind the house; front setbacks can't block an 800 sq ft ADU. | No more than 4 ft side and rear; none for conversions of existing space. |
| Parking | City-ordinance ADU: 1 space unless exempt (transit, car share, historic district, inside existing space). State-law ADUs and junior ADUs: none. | 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 | None for ADUs. Junior ADU: the owner lives in the house or the junior ADU, with a 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 converted ADU (in existing space), one junior ADU and one detached ADU, or one attached city-ordinance ADU plus one detached state-law ADU. | 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 | Home-sharing is allowed only in the host's primary residence. | No guarantee: cities may require rentals of more than 30 days, and junior ADUs can't be short-term rentals. |
- Hillside and fire-zone lots: the ordinance bars ADUs on lots in both a Hillside Area and a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, but the city doesn't apply that to state-law ADUs.
- Coastal Zone: a coastal development permit is also required.
- No park fee or affordable housing linkage fee; LAUSD school fees over 500 sq ft.
Where local rules conflict with state law, state law controls. Sources: Zoning Administrator Memo 143, Rev. 1 (Aug 1, 2025) · HCD findings (Nov 19, 2024); 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached ADU | 208 | 121 – 354 | 11,188 |
| Attached ADU | 167 | 88 – 314 | 5,949 |
| Garage conversion | 126 | 61 – 234 | 17,305 |
| Junior ADU (JADU) | 84 | 43 – 170 | 3,339 |
| Unclassified | 75 | 21 – 170 | 6,186 |
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 happened to these permits
Of the 21,796 ADU permits issued in Los Angeles from 2020 through 2023, including ones that later expired or were cancelled, 82% have been signed off by the city as finished. Where the certificate of occupancy date is recorded, it came a median of 14 months after the permit.
| What became of the permit | Share |
|---|---|
| Finished (signed off by the city) | 82% |
| Still open | 17% |
| Expired or cancelled | 1% |
| Closed or other status | <1% |
Expired and cancelled permits aren't in this page's totals; they're included here so the table covers every permit issued. A still-open permit may be under construction or stalled.
What neighbors declared as cost
| Type | Median declared value | Middle half | Permits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached ADU | $100,000 | $70,000 – $140,000 | 10,059 |
| Attached ADU | $50,000 | $25,000 – $102,250 | 4,084 |
| Garage conversion | $49,000 | $30,000 – $70,000 | 16,523 |
| Junior ADU (JADU) | $30,000 | $20,000 – $50,000 | 3,126 |
| Unclassified | $50,000 | $25,000 – $100,000 | 1,484 |
Declared permit valuations often understate real construction cost.
Read more: What ADUs cost in Los Angeles
Read more: How to choose an ADU builder
An ADU builder serving Los Angeles? Feature your business on this page.
Questions about ADUs in Los Angeles
How many ADUs have been permitted in Los Angeles?
Public records show 51,221 ADU permits in Los Angeles through Oct 31, 2026, nearly all since 2018. 7,037 in 2025, up 8% from 2024.
How long does an ADU permit take in Los Angeles?
Among the 43,967 ADU permits in Los Angeles with both dates recorded, half were issued within 140 days of the application; the middle half took 65 to 265 days. That includes plan-check corrections and resubmittals, not just the review itself.
How much does an ADU cost in Los Angeles?
The median value owners declared on ADU permits in Los Angeles was $49,000 for garage conversions and $100,000 for detached ADUs. Declared values often leave out design, fees and site work, so get several builder quotes.
Can I build an ADU on my property in Los Angeles?
California law allows ADUs on most lots with a house, including in Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles?
Apply with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), online through ePlanLA. Official ADU page.
How current is this?
- City of Los Angeles permits: through Oct 31, 2026 (published about weekly)
- 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.