Build an ADU in Los Angeles, California

According to state law, the owner of the property is not required to occupy the
primary home or the ADU.

Except as otherwise permitted by this subdivision, one ADU is permitted per
residential lot. Single family residential lots may be permitted up to one ADU
and one JADU according to state AB-68.

There is no minimum lot size for an ADU so long as a legal Single Family or
Multi-Family Residence exists on the property.

Parking Requirements: (i) ADU Parking. One parking space is required for an ADU,
except that no parking is required for an ADU that is: a. Located within
one-half mile walking distance of a public transit. For this purpose, public
transit means a location, including, but not limited to, a bus stop or train
station, where the public may access buses, trains, subways, and other forms of
transportation that charge set fares, run on fixed routes, and are available to
the public; or b. Located within one block of a designated pickup and drop-off
location of a car share vehicle; or c. Located in an architecturally and
historically significant district listed in or formally determined eligible for
listing in the National Register of Historic Places or California Register of
Historical Resources or located in any City Historic Preservation Overlay Zone;
or d. Part of the proposed or existing primary residence or an accessory
structure. (ii) ADU Parking Location. ADU parking is allowed in any yard area or
passageway. When located in a required front yard, the parking must be located
on an existing driveway. Parking may be provided through tandem parking where
two or more automobiles are parked on a driveway or in any other location on a
lot, lined up behind one another. Driveway access areas located in the required
front yard shall not be expanded to provide required parking. Other objective
parking and driveway standards in the LAMC apply, including those found in
Sections 12.21 A.5 and 12.21 A.6. However, Section 12.21 A.6(d) of this Code
shall not apply to parking required for an ADU. (iii) Replacement Parking. No
replacement parking shall be required when a garage, carport or covered parking
structure is demolished in conjunction with the construction of an ADU or
converted to an ADU.

Height. The height of an accessory dwelling unit shall be: A.) At least 16 feet,
except for when: 1.) The height of the zoning district allows for greater
height. 2.) For accessory dwelling unit is created entirely within the existing
space of an existing, legal accessory structure, the maximum height shall be
equal to the maximum height of the accessory structure. 3.) For accessory
dwelling unit is created entirely within the existing space of a single-family
primary residence, the maximum height shall be equal to the height of the
primary residence.

The ADU shall not require fire sprinklers unless they are already installed in
the primary dwelling or the property is located in a special fire or hillside
overlay, in which case, they may be required. Movable Tiny Houses are not
required to have sprinklers, but shall follow the ANSI A119.5 or NFPA 1192
standards relating to health, fire and life-safety.

ADUs shall not require utility connections that are separate from the primary
residence. ADUs located where a private sewage disposal system is being used,
shall require approval by the local health officer. ADUs are required to comply
with all applicable Building and Residential Codes for the proposed use. Movable
Tiny Houses shall be connected to water, sewer and electric utilities in
compliance with applicable codes.

The ADU must be visually compatible with the primary home and the surrounding
neighborhood. This typically means that the ADU should be designed to have
similar exterior colors, materials, roof pitch and massing to the primary home.
Movable Tiny Houses shall have the following design elements: (i) Cladding and
Trim. Materials used on the exterior of a moveable tiny house shall exclude
single piece composite, laminates, or interlocked metal sheathing. (ii) Windows
and Doors. Windows shall be at least double pane glass and labelled for building
use, and shall include exterior trim. Windows and doors shall not have radius
corners. (iii) Roofing. Roofs shall have a minimum of a 12:2 pitch for greater
than 50 percent of the roof area, and shall not be composed of wooden shingles.
(iv) Extensions. All exterior walls and roof of a moveable any tiny house used
as an ADU shall be fixed with no slide-outs, tip-outs, nor other forms of
mechanically articulating room area extensions. + Is licensed and registered
with the California Department of Motor Vehicles; + Meets the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) 119.5 requirements or the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) 1192 standards, and is certified for ANSI or NFPA compliance;
+ Is no larger than allowed by California State Law for movement on public
highways; and + Cannot move under its own power; + When sited on a lot, the
undercarriage (wheels, axles, tongue and hitch) shall be hidden from view.

No additional setbacks shall be required for an existing living area or
accessory structure, or a structure constructed in the same location and to the
same dimensions as an existing structure, converted to an ADU or portion of an
ADU. New construction ADUs require 4-foot side and rear yard setbacks.