Community Development

Step 1: Planning Bureau

Before applying for an ADU building permit, contact the Planning Bureau to confirm that your property is eligible for an ADU. The City’s ADU Zoning Summary outlines key planning regulations, including the number of ADUs allowed per property and development standards such as setbacks, height limits, and parking requirements.

If your property is located in a Historic District, a Certificate of Appropriateness will be required. Properties within the Coastal Zone must obtain an Administrative (no-hearing) Local Coastal Development Permit before submitting a building permit application.

Step 2: Permit Center

 Step 3: Plan Review

Once fees are paid, a Planner and an Engineer will be assigned to review your plans concurrently. Typical review times range from 4 to 6 weeks, depending on workload and project complexity.

If corrections are required, please resubmit the revised plans to both the Planning and Engineering plan checkers. You can monitor your project’s progress anytime by visiting the Plan Check Status webpage.

 Step 4: Permits and Construction

Once your plans are approved, the Building and Safety Bureau will send a “ready-to-issue” email with instructions on completing the permit issuance process, paying permit fees, and obtaining copies of the approved construction documents.

Permits are issued in person at the Permit Center, and appointments are available to help minimize wait times. After construction is complete, please schedule an inspection online—phone requests for building inspections are not accepted.

Step 1: Planning Bureau

To qualify for an SB 9 unit, a property must be zoned R-1 (Single-Family) and contain no more than one existing single-family dwelling. Confirm a property’s zoning by using the Zoning and Land Use map.

Planning regulations and development standards for SB 9 units are outlined in the SB 9 Project Eligibility Checklist and the SB 9 Possible Layouts and Development Standards. Height and front yard setbacks are determined by the zoning district and can be found in the Residential Development Standards table.

A property may contain no more than four units in total: 1 single-family dwelling, 1 SB 9 unit, 1 ADU, and 1 JADU. Projects located in parking exempt areas may be exempt from parking requirements. Properties in the Coastal Zone require an administrative (no-hearing) Local Coastal Development Permit. SB 9 units are not allowed in Historic Districts or on landmark buildings. An Urban Lot Split is not required to qualify for an SB 9 unit.

Step 2: Permit Center

Schedule an appointment or visit the Permit Center during regular business hours to submit your plans for review. All construction documents and permit applications must be submitted in person, and applicable plan check fees are due at the time of submission. Online submissions are not accepted.

Please bring your permit application and a complete set of plans saved as a digital PDF on a USB drive. For detailed information on submittal requirements, visit the Plan Review Service page.

For questions regarding fees, plan submittals, architectural plans, permit records, or pre-approved ADU plans, contact the Building & Safety Bureau.

Step 3: Plan Review

Once fees are paid, a Planner and an Engineer will be assigned to review your plans concurrently. Typical review times range from 4 to 6 weeks, depending on workload and project complexity.

If corrections are required, please resubmit the revised plans to both the Planning and Engineering plan checkers. You can monitor your project’s progress anytime by visiting the Plan Check Status webpage.

Step 4: Permits and Construction

Once your plans are approved, the Building and Safety Bureau will send a “ready-to-issue” email with instructions on completing the permit issuance process, paying permit fees, and obtaining copies of the approved construction documents.

Permits are issued in person at the Permit Center, and appointments are available to minimize wait times. After construction is complete, schedule an inspection online—phone requests for inspections are not accepted.

Step 1: Planning Bureau

To qualify for an Urban Lot Split, projects must comply with the same requirements as SB 9 units. Additional criteria for Urban Lot Splits are detailed in the Urban Lot Split Filing Requirements.

To subdivide your property, you must first apply for a Tentative Parcel Map entitlement using the Planning Permit Application. Once approved, a separate application must be submitted to the Department of Public Works to process the Final Parcel Map for the Urban Lot Split. Approval of the Tentative Parcel Map is required before submitting plans for the two-unit development.

Be sure your project complies with all Zoning and Subdivision Regulations. Subdivision standards for Urban Lot Splits are outlined in Chapter 20.18 of the Zoning Regulations.

Step 2: Permit Center

Once the Tentative Parcel Map for the Urban Lot Split is recorded with the County of Los Angeles and becomes effective, schedule an appointment or visit the Permit Center during regular business hours to submit your plans for review.

All construction documents and permit applications for the SB 9 unit(s) and associated improvements must be submitted in person, with plan check fees paid at the time of submission. Online submissions are not accepted.

Please bring your permit application and a complete set of plans saved as a digital PDF on a USB drive. For detailed information on what to include in your submittal package, visit the Plan Review Service webpage.

Questions regarding fees, plan submittals, architectural plans, permit records, or pre-approved ADU plans should be directed to the Building & Safety Bureau.

Step 3: Plan Review

Once fees are paid, a Planner and an Engineer will be assigned to review your plans concurrently. Typical review times range from 4 to 6 weeks, depending on workload and project complexity.

If corrections are required, please resubmit the revised plans to both the Planning and Engineering plan checkers. You can monitor your project’s progress anytime by visiting the Plan Check Status webpage.

Step 4: Permits and Construction

Once your plans are approved, the Building and Safety Bureau will send a “ready-to-issue” email with instructions on completing the permit issuance process, paying permit fees, and obtaining copies of the approved construction documents.

Permits are issued in person at the Permit Center, and appointments are available to help minimize wait times. After construction is complete, please schedule an inspection online—phone requests for building inspections are not accepted.