Los Angeles ADU on a HPOZ

[Alex You]

Anyone have any experience adding an ADU in a HPOZ (historical area) in Los Angeles?

[Robert Chuang]

@Alex You I didnt personally do it. However, the wording is in the ADU code. You can convert the garage into ADU. New construction would be "Possible" if you can't see it from any angle from the street and has to be obvious and not in the original.

I flipped in HPOZ Miracle miles. Also is doing ADU now.

Robert

[Victor Ong]

@Alex You

It’s an arduous process where all your exterior material and design have to be scrutinized and approved by the local historical committee. There was an instance that the committee rejected our window carpentry due to craftsmanship. My team has to import them from Mexico from a custom master carpenter.

Another note, make sure you establish a GREAT relationship with whoever sits on that committee. Relationship goes a long way in this arbitrary scenario.

[Stephen Phan]

@Alex You I've worked with the Hpoz on a project in Lincoln Heights. Haven't done an ADU with them but we currently are in the process of some starting some construction. My understanding is that if it is not visible from the street you should be ok. Of course I would confirm this with them.

[Alex You]

@Stephen Phan @Victor Ong @Robert Chuang So it might be possible but probably not for the property I'm looking at. And as a new investor probably should start on something a little easier. Thanks for the input

[Linhda Tran]

I've heard every historical board is different. You should def befriend them and be nice to them. According to the new ADU laws, they should pass your plans but they're aren't beholden to approve them within a set timeline . They're not supposed to block your ADU from being built but can chime in on the design. We're in Jefferson Park and we had a tilted roof design. They did not like and now we switched to a flat room design and submitting again. Fingers crossed that's all they wanted!! It def adds red tape. Learning as we go too!

[Nick Hedberg]

Like several have mentioned, every HPOZ is different. Some are relatively relaxed while others enjoy the power trip. I think it would be challenging for them to block the ADU, but they can certainly make the design aspect difficult. Make sure the numbers looks great, or I would look outside the HPOZ. The headache might not be worth it.

[Julien Jorda]

Hi @Linhda Tran, I live in Jefferson Park too and I am currently working on plans for our garage conversion to an ADU. I'd like to connect and ask a few questions if you are ok with that.