ADUs in Los Angeles - do you have any experience

[Steve Jones]

Hi, does anyone have any experience with the new Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) plan in Los Angeles? If yes what happened and how did you do it?

Thanks much in advance.

[Andy Brohard]

Hey Steve! 

I just finished one. Converted my garage to a 1bed 1bath in Atwater and the new tenant is signing the lease today. 

A lot to type out for the whole process, happy to grab a coffee and go over all of it with you. I think there's a lot of income to be made by doing it in LA.  

I did the design work and had a structural engineer draw up those plans. I went a little overboard vaulting the ceilings, adding sqft and some extras but I think the area calls for it and it makes a smaller space feel huge. 

Specific to the ADU......

Property is on flat land so no hillside regs. 

It's within .5 miles of public transportation so we're able to convert the garage and not have to put in covered parking.

Design was a little tricky since the original structure is non-conforming to the setbacks. 

A huge issue people have been running into is changing more than 50% of the structure. The city will call it all new and then everything would have to be within the newer setback regs. 

Gas and power are on new meters. Water is subbed. (utilities were the longest process so jump on them early) 

Here's the before and after if you're interested.