Short answer. ADU permit and plan check fees in Los Angeles run $5,000 to $14,000 in 2026. Plan check takes 4 to 10 weeks for standard review and 2 to 4 weeks under the express program. The fees scale with construction valuation and ADU size.
Permit costs are the line item that surprises new ADU owners the most. The fees are not paid in one lump sum. They land in waves: plan check submission, plan check resubmittal, building permit issuance, and the final certificate of occupancy. This guide breaks down each fee and tells you when it is due.
LA ADU permit fee breakdown
| Fee | When due | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Plan check fee | At submission | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Building permit fee | At permit issuance | $2,500 to $5,500 |
| School fees (ADUs over 750 sq ft) | At permit issuance | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Sewer cap fee | At permit issuance | $500 to $2,000 |
| Bureau of Sanitation fees | At permit issuance | $200 to $1,000 |
| DWP water and electric connections | Pre-construction | $0 to $8,000 |
What stretches the timeline
- Incomplete drawings or missing Title 24 reports trigger correction cycles. Each correction adds 2 to 4 weeks.
- Hillside or high-fire zones add geotechnical and fire department reviews.
- HPOZ (Historic Preservation Overlay Zone) properties require additional design review.
- Coastal Zone properties trigger California Coastal Commission review.
- Lots without legal driveway access need separate Bureau of Engineering review.
Statutes and rules that apply
California Government Code Section 65852.2 sets statewide ADU rules. LA Municipal Code Section 12.22 A.33 implements them at the city level. The official LADBS ADU page provides the current fee schedule and application forms. We recommend checking the LADBS website before each submission since fees update annually.
How to keep your permit on schedule
- Submit a complete and code-compliant drawing set on day one. The most common rejection reason is missing structural calculations and Title 24 energy compliance.
- Use pre-approved plans where the layout suits the lot. Skip architectural plan check entirely.
- Respond to corrections inside one week. Long response times kill momentum on the reviewer's desk.
- Hire a designer or contractor who has filed at least 10 successful ADU plan checks in LA in the last 24 months. Local experience reduces correction rounds.
For total ADU pricing context, see ADU cost in Los Angeles and how much does an ADU cost in California. For garage conversions, read garage conversion ADU cost in LA. To start, see the ADU service page.
