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Which permits do you need before building an ADU in LA

by RodrigoBentancur » Sun Nov 09, 2025 11:05 pm

I’ve been thinking about adding an ADU to my property in Los Angeles, but the permit process sounds confusing. A friend of mine had to wait months for approvals when she built hers last year. I don’t want to make the same mistakes or miss any important steps. Does anyone know exactly what permits are needed before starting construction, and maybe how to speed things up with the city?
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Re: Which permits do you need before building an ADU in LA

by MichelCajuste » Sun Nov 09, 2025 11:20 pm

Yeah, the permit process can definitely be tricky in LA, Los Angeles, California https://www.aduscale.com/adu-construction-in-los-angeles, but once you understand the sequence, it’s manageable. You’ll need a building permit, electrical, plumbing, and sometimes mechanical permits depending on your ADU design. If you’re converting a garage, you might also need zoning clearance to make sure it meets setback and parking rules. When I did mine, I worked with a local ADU contractor who handled all the paperwork and coordinated with the Department of Building and Safety. That saved me a ton of time and stress, honestly. It took about 6–8 weeks for approval once everything was submitted properly.
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