Need help getting permits for an ADU in Los Angeles

[Sarah Purdum]

Hi guys,

I currently live in Reseda, CA (in Los Angeles county) in my first home and I want to build a shipping container home ADU in my backyard as well as a side project of enclosing my garage which is currently a carport. My boyfriend and I have had this plan for years, first we bought a house with a big lot and now we want to permit the ADU before starting to build it next year when we have the funds.

My question is does anyone have a recommendation for an architect or structural engineer (I think that's another person who can help is get plans?) who can help us get permits for the construction? My bf is a bit of a genius and has some construction background and has a very detailed design in sketch up already and I dont want to have to pay an arm and a leg for plans. We had a friend contractor who was helping us every step of the way who has now stopped being responsive.

Real estate in LA is expensive and we are already renting our spare bedrooms on airbnb. Building this ADU is just helping us further our dreams of being creative real estate investors with the money we have to work with in this crazy city!

Can anyone help us out?