Junior ADU Los Angeles: JADU Design Expertss
Plan the Perfect Junior ADU With LADU. Smart Spaces. Faster Approvals.
A junior accessory dwelling unit uses space inside your existing home to create a compact, self-contained living area. Junior ADUs often move through plan check faster and cost less than detached ADUs, since the work stays within the main home.
With architect-led planning and code-first drawings, you get a legal unit for long-term rental, family use, or added resale value.
ADUs Designed Better. Built Smarter.
What Is a Junior ADU?
A junior accessory dwelling unit is a small home inside the main house, up to 500 square feet, with a separate exterior entrance and a kitchenette. It may share a bathroom with the primary home.
Most junior accessory dwelling units require owner occupancy on-site and allow rentals of 30 days or longer.
ADU vs. Junior ADU
A junior ADU sits within the main residence or an attached space. A standard ADU can be detached, attached, or converted.
- Size Caps: Junior ADU size tops out at 500 square feet. ADUs can be larger depending on lot and zoning.
- Privacy: Detached ADUs offer greater separation and outdoor space. JADUs provide privacy with sound control and a separate entry at a lower cost.
- Cost and Timeline: JADUs often cost less and move faster through review since they reuse structure and utilities. ADUs offer more space and independence with a bigger budget.
- Best Fit: Choose a JADU for efficient, budget-friendly space inside the home; choose a detached ADU for maximum privacy and flexible layout.
Benefits of a JADU in LA
A junior ADU (JADU) brings flexibility and value without a full addition.
- Rental income with 30+ day leases that meet local rules
- Multigenerational living for parents, adult children, or a caregiver
- Lower junior ADU cost than a new detached structure
- Strong market appeal when designed by an architect-led ADU designer in Los Angeles
- Smaller footprint, less disruption, and improved energy performance
Junior ADU Requirements California
Junior accessory dwelling units in Los Angeles must follow California Government Code 65852.2 and 65852.22 and Los Angeles Municipal Code 12.22 A.33. Permits, inspections, and a Certificate of Occupancy are required before use.
Common pitfalls include overbuilding past the junior ADU size limit, missing egress, incorrect kitchenette specs, and incomplete owner-occupancy affidavits.
LADU's code-first approach aligns your junior ADU plans to state and city standards from day one to avoid redesigns and inspection delays.
Junior ADU Floor Plans and Junior ADU Size
- Junior ADU Size: Up to 500 square feet within the main home. Cities allow up to 150 square feet for an entrance or hallway to meet access needs.
- Typical Layouts: Efficient studios and compact 1-bedroom junior ADU floor plans with clear egress, storage, and natural light.
- Smart Planning: Junior ADU plans can include pocket doors, built-ins, closet walls with sound control, and furniture-scaled zones that keep circulation clear.
- Egress and Light: Compliant bedroom egress windows, code-required glazing, and mechanical ventilation where needed.
JADU Entry and Kitchenette
- Separate Entrance: A JADU must have its own exterior entry that is distinct from the main home.
- Kitchenette Standards: Compact sink up to 16×16 inches with a 1.5-inch drain, countertop workspace, and storage.
- Appliances: Common setups use 120V plug-in appliances such as an induction cooktop, convection or microwave oven, and an under-counter fridge.
- Electrical and Safety: GFCI protection at wet areas, dedicated circuits sized to load, and clear working space at receptacles.
- Ventilation: Ducted or recirculating hoods, bath fans with adequate CFM, and window venting to meet code.
Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit Bath and Utilities
- Sanitation: A junior accessory dwelling unit can share sanitation with the main home or include a dedicated bath.
- Plumbing Tie-Ins: Short runs to existing stacks and hot–cold lines reduce wall work and speed inspections.
- Electrical Capacity: Panel load calculations confirm service size and breaker space; subpanels often help organization.
- Sound Control: Insulation at shared walls and resilient channels reduce sound transfer.
- Natural Light and Fire Safety: Meet glazing percentages, smoke and CO alarms, fire separation where required by plan checker, and safe egress routes.
Junior Accessory Dwelling Units Owner Occupancy and Rental
- Owner Occupancy: For a property with a JADU, an owner generally must live on-site in either the primary home or the junior ADU, subject to California Government Code 65852.22 and local rules.
- Rental: No short-term rentals under 30 days. Written lease agreements should reflect this limit.
- Recordation: Many jurisdictions require a deed restriction that states the JADU size, owner occupancy, and rental terms. LADU prepares the form for recordation as part of permitting.
JADU Permits and Approvals
- Applicable Laws: Los Angeles Municipal Code 12.22 A.33 and California Government Code 65852.2 and 65852.22.
- Submittals: Architectural plans, Title 24 energy documentation, existing and proposed floor plans, sections, details, and site plan showing the separate entrance.
- Plan Check: City review for zoning, building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fire life safety.
- Inspections: Rough trades, insulation, drywall, and final sign-off.
- Use: A Certificate of Occupancy is issued after finals, allowing legal long-term use and leasing.
Junior ADU Cost Los Angeles
Junior ADU cost in Los Angeles depends on a range of factors including the home’s existing layout, required plumbing or electrical upgrades, and whether separate utilities or a kitchenette are added.
Costs also vary based on design complexity, structural modifications, and finish quality. Homeowners converting interior space typically see lower costs than those requiring significant reconfiguration or code upgrades.
Why Choose LADU for Your JADU Plans
At LADU, we pair code expertise with smart layouts that pass plan check and live great day to day. We make building an ADU simple with one team, one contract, and one goal.
LADU manages design and permitting and arranges construction services with clients through our network of licensed ADU construction partners. You get transparent pricing, a clear schedule, and support from feasibility to final inspection.
- Flat fee design with no surprise change orders
- Code-first plans for faster approvals
- Transparent scope, schedule, and pricing
- Permit management across Los Angeles
- Smart junior ADU designs and floor plans
- Energy-efficient specs and materials
- Construction arranged with licensed ADU partners
- Support from feasibility to final inspection
How To Get Started
- Talk to an ADU expert and request a free site assessment.
- See if your property qualifies.
- Get your fixed-price JADU design quote.
- Start designing the perfect JADU for your property.
Ready to plan your junior ADU in Los Angeles? Call (213) 855-3334 or contact us online today for a free site assessment and a fixed-price design quote.
ADUs Designed Better. Built Smarter.
Related Services
Types of ADU Designs
Frequently Asked Questionsn
How much does a JADU cost?
Junior ADU cost depends on existing structure, utilities, finishes, and whether a separate bath is included. Most projects come in below a new detached ADU since no new foundation or shell is needed. LADU offers flat-fee design and helps you compare construction bids from licensed ADU partners.
How big can a junior ADU be?
A junior ADU can be up to 500 square feet. Cities also allow up to 150 square feet for an entrance or hallway to meet access needs. LADU develops junior ADU plans that fit the envelope and meet egress, light, and ventilation standards.
Do I need a separate bath with a JADU?
No. A junior ADU may share sanitation with the main home, which can lower cost and shorten construction. If you want a dedicated bath, LADU designs compliant layouts with proper plumbing tie-ins and clearances.
How long do permits take for a junior accessory dwelling unit?
Timelines vary by city workload and project scope. JADUs often move faster than detached ADUs since the work stays within the main home. LADU’s architect-prepared, code-aligned submittals help reduce comments and keep your review on track.
How is a junior ADU different from a standard ADU?
Junior ADUs are created within the main residence, capped at 500 square feet, and typically cost less with faster plan check because they reuse structure and utilities. Standard ADUs can be detached or attached, allow larger sizes, and offer greater privacy and outdoor space, but they require bigger budgets and timelines.
What are the key JADU requirements in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles JADUs must sit within the primary home, have a distinct exterior entrance, and include a kitchenette with a sink up to 16×16 inches and 1.5-inch drain. Provide compliant egress, glazing, and ventilation. Owner occupancy and 30+ day leases apply. Permits, inspections, deed restriction, and Certificate of Occupancy required.
What services does LADU provide for JADU projects?
LADU delivers architect-led, code-first JADU design with flat-fee pricing. We handle feasibility, space planning, permit-ready drawings, Title 24, submittals, plan check responses, and deed restriction prep. Our team manages permits across Los Angeles and coordinates licensed construction partners, providing scope, schedule, and support from kickoff through final inspections and occupancy.