Permits for Your Existing ADU, Handled from Start to Finish

I received a violation notice from the city. What should I do?

You will need to resolve the issue with code enforcement before it gets to the city attorneys office. Upon execution of a contract, we will reach out to code enforcement on your behalf and notify them that we are remediating any issues.

What's the timeline for the legalization process?

The ADU legalization process typically follows this timeline:

1. Design Development: 2-3 weeks to complete architectural drafting, engineering assessments, and necessary documentation for your specific property
2. Permit Review: 3-4 months for Los Angeles County review, though timing varies by jurisdiction and current department workloads
3. Construction Phase: Typically 1-3 months depending on the scope of required updates identified during inspections

At LADU, we've optimized our processes to minimize delays at each stage.

Our team has established relationships with permitting offices throughout Los Angeles County, allowing us to navigate the system more efficiently than homeowners working alone.

We also provide regular status updates throughout the process so you're never left wondering about your project's progress.

Is there any way to speed up the permitting process?

Yes, we can hire a permit expediter to speed up your application. We work with several permit expediters who specialize in working with local permitting offices in Los Angeles County. There is an additional fee for this.

What will the city inspector look for?

The inspector will be assessing the ADU based on the California ADU legalization checklist established under AB2533. The inspection focuses on several key health and safety elements:

• Structural Integrity: Foundation, load-bearing walls, roof condition, and overall structural soundness
• Electrical Systems: Proper wiring, adequate service panel capacity, GFCI protection in wet areas, and smoke/carbon monoxide detectors.
• Plumbing Systems: Water supply, drainage, venting requirements, and fixture functionality.
• Fire Safety: Proper egress windows/doors, fire-rated separations (if applicable), and sprinkler systems (if required).
• Ventilation: Adequate natural or mechanical ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens.
• Ceiling Height: Minimum clearances in habitable spaces.
• Building Envelope: Weather protection and moisture control.

Our team will prepare you for what to expect during your specific inspection based on your property's characteristics and the local jurisdiction's interpretation of the checklist requirements.

You can review the complete California ADU legalization checklist by clicking here.

Do I need to visit city offices?

No! We handle all interactions with city departments, saving you valuable time and hassle. Our full-service approach includes:

• Document Submission: We prepare and submit all required paperwork, plans, and supporting documentation to the appropriate departments.
• Follow-up Communications: Our team manages all emails, phone calls, and in-person meetings with city officials throughout the permitting process.
• Inspection Coordination: We schedule and attend all required inspections, eliminating the need for you to take time off work or rearrange your schedule.
• Addressing Requirements: If city reviewers request additional information or changes, we handle these requests promptly without requiring your involvement.

This concierge-level service is one of the key advantages of working with LADU. Many of our clients are busy professionals who appreciate that we've streamlined the often complex and time-consuming interactions with Los Angeles County permitting offices.

What if my permit application is not approved?

We will work with the permit office and submit revised plans until they are accepted. Because AB2533 (the ADU legalization law) is recent legislation, there are still some uncertainties about exactly how inspectors will evaluate the compliance checklist. The interpretation can vary based on:

• Jurisdictional Differences: Each permitting office within Los Angeles County may have slightly different implementation approaches
• Inspector Discretion: Individual inspectors may focus on different aspects of the code requirements based on their expertise and experience
• Evolving Guidelines: As more ADUs are legalized under this law, permitting offices are continuously refining their review processes

Our team stays current with all implementation developments across Los Angeles County jurisdictions and maintains relationships with permitting offices to understand their specific requirements. If revisions are needed, we'll clearly explain the feedback, make the necessary adjustments, and guide your application through to approval.

LADU has successfully navigated numerous ADU legalizations under AB2533, giving us practical insight into how different jurisdictions are applying these regulations in real-world scenarios.

Can I review the contract before I pay the deposit?

Absolutely! You can view the agreement by clicking here.

What does the contract with LADU include?

Our contract includes all professional services required to get your ADU legalization permit approved through plan check:

• Property Assessment: Thorough evaluation of your existing ADU and property conditions
• Custom Design & Engineering: Complete architectural and engineering plans tailored to your specific property and compliance needs
• Document Preparation: Compilation of all necessary documentation for submission
• Permit Submission: Management of the entire application process
• Plan Check Navigation: Handling all communications, revisions, and resubmissions with city departments until approval
• City Permit Fees: These vary by municipality and property specifics. We'll provide you with exact fee estimates for your jurisdiction once we know your property location.
• Construction Costs (if necessary): After permit approval, you'll need to hire a contractor to complete any required corrections identified during inspection. While this is a separate agreement, we can connect you with our trusted contractor partners who are already familiar with your project.

Our goal is complete transparency about what's included in your initial agreement and what additional investments will be needed to complete your ADU legalization.

Is construction necessary to legalize my ADU?

Not necessarily. It depends on whether construction is needed to remedy any structural issues with the existing ADU to bring it up to code.

Some conversions may only require documentation and inspections, while others might need significant renovations to address safety concerns like electrical systems, plumbing, ventilation, structural integrity, or fire safety.

Our team can conduct a thorough assessment of your existing space to determine exactly what would be required in your specific situation.

Where can I find the California ADU legalization checklist?

Click here to download the checklist.

How long does the permit process take?

While timing varies, our managed process typically reduces approval time by weeks or even months compared to handling it yourself.

What happens at the site visit?

1. Survey your property: Our engineers will take measurements and draw a site plan that will be used later to submit your application to your local permitting office.
2. Review the ADU legalization checklist: Our engineers will survey your existing ADU and determine what needs to be remedied in order to pass inspection and secure your permits.
3. Your questions answered: Most customers have questions about the timeline, costs, and next steps. We'll answer all your questions and leave you with a clear understanding of how long the process will take and an estimate of construction costs if any work is needed to get your existing ADU up to code.