What can your lot hold?
Send the address. We tell you which ADUs and programs fit your lot, before you pay for design.
Which ADU fits your lot?
Which one fits depends on your lot. The free Lot Check tells you.
6-10 monthsGarage ConversionThe garage becomes a home. No new setbacks, no replacement parking, and usually the least costly full-size unit.
4-8 monthsJunior ADU (JADU)Up to 500 sq ft carved out of the house you have. The smallest budget and the simplest permit.
10-16 monthsAttached ADUA new wing that shares a wall with the house and has its own front door. Good for narrow lots.
12-18 monthsDetached ADUIts own building in the back yard. The most privacy of any type.
14-20 monthsAbove-Garage and Second-Story ADUKeep the parking and the yard, add a home upstairs.
A second home, right out back
One team from the first lot check to the final inspection. Find out free what your lot can hold, then we design it, permit it and build it.
The programs that open up your lot
Each has its own page: who qualifies, what it allows and how it runs.
Since January 2025, California lets an existing apartment property add detached ADUs, one for every existing unit up to eight, plus conversions of garages and storage.
SB 9 Lot SplitSingle-family lotsSB 9 lets a single-family lot be split in two, with up to two homes on each.
Pre-Approved PlansFaster permitsCities must now keep a set of pre-approved ADU plans.
Legalize an Existing UnitUnpermitted unitsA garage apartment or back unit built without permits can usually be legalized as an ADU.
Fire RebuildFire-damaged lotsAfter the January 2025 fires, Los Angeles City and County set up faster rebuild permits.
Financing & GrantsPaying for itMost ADUs are paid for with home equity.
Start from a plan that's already drawn
Ready-drawn plans we adapt to your lot and your city.
6 plans
Eight more homes, found on an existing lot
A 1960s apartment building, its old carports, and the law that turned them into ADUs.
From your address to your first tenant
Send the address. We tell you what fits and which programs apply. Free.
Survey, utilities, floor plans and renderings. Typically 8 to 12 weeks.
Every allowance spelled out, before anything is built.
We submit, answer corrections and track deadlines. Typically 3 to 6 months.
A detached ADU typically takes 5 to 7 months; a conversion less.
Final inspection, then the keys. Renting it out? We introduce a licensed property manager.
What owners ask first
How much does an ADU cost?
It depends on the lot, the type and the finishes. Send the address and, after the free Lot Check and design, you get a written quote for your property.
How long does it take?
From about 4 months for a junior ADU to 20 for a second story, first call to move-in, depending on the type and the city.
Do I have to live on the property?
Not for an ADU. A JADU needs the owner in the house or the JADU.
Can I build on an apartment lot?
Yes. Under SB 1211 an existing apartment property can add up to 8 detached ADUs plus conversions.
Find your city
Every city adds its own rules on top of state law. Type yours to see what applies.
Not listed? Send your address and we will check it.
Cities with their own guide
City of Los Angeles neighborhoods
LA County areas
Other cities we serve
303 projects across the LA area
Locations are rounded so no home can be found.
Straight answers, in plain English
Costs, laws and timelines, dated and sourced.
About 11 to 17 months from first call to move-in for a detached ADU. Here's where the time goes, stage by stage, and what you can do to speed it up.
Learn moreIf you own property in Los Angeles and have been thinking about building an ADU, SB 1123 is worth understanding. Signed into law in September 2024 and taking…
Learn moreCalifornia just made it significantly easier to build multiple ADUs on multifamily properties, and if you own an apartment building or a duplex in Los Angeles,…
Learn moreWhen the rules change, you'll know
A short email when ADU law changes in Southern California, plus new projects and plans. A couple of times a month at most. Unsubscribe anytime.
Start with the address
Free, no obligation. You find out what fits and the best next step.