Permit Fees for ADUs by City in LA County

Permit fees are one of the most variable costs in ADU construction across Los Angeles County. The city where your property sits can mean the difference between $5,000 and $15,000+ in permitting costs alone. This guide breaks down what to expect by jurisdiction.

Understanding ADU Permit Fee Categories

ADU permit fees in LA County typically include:

• Plan check fees: Review of architectural and engineering plans ($2,000–$5,000)
• Building permit fees: Based on project valuation ($1,500–$4,000)
• School impact fees: Charged per square foot ($2–$4/sq ft, often waived for ADUs under 750 sq ft)
• Utility connection fees: Water, sewer, and electrical hookup charges ($2,000–$8,000)
• Fire department fees: Fire sprinkler plan review and inspection ($500–$1,500)

Permit Fees by City

City of Los Angeles (LADBS)

Total permit fees: $6,000–$12,000. LADBS has streamlined ADU permitting with dedicated review tracks. Pre-approved plans can reduce plan check time and fees.

Pasadena

Total permit fees: $5,000–$10,000. Pasadena has been proactive in encouraging ADU development with reasonable fee structures and clear guidelines.

Burbank

Total permit fees: $4,000–$9,000. Burbank offers competitive permit fees and a streamlined review process for ADUs that comply with state requirements.

Glendale

Total permit fees: $5,000–$11,000. Glendale's planning department has dedicated ADU resources to help homeowners navigate the permitting process efficiently.

Santa Clarita

Total permit fees: $4,000–$8,000. Santa Clarita has some of the most competitive ADU permit fees in the county.

Unincorporated LA County

Total permit fees: $5,000–$10,000. LA County Department of Regional Planning handles ADU permits for unincorporated areas with standardized fee schedules.

How to Reduce ADU Permit Costs

• Use pre-approved plans: Several LA cities offer pre-approved ADU designs that skip extended plan review
• Build under 750 sq ft: Many fees are waived or reduced for smaller ADUs
• Work with an experienced builder: Fewer plan check corrections mean fewer re-submission fees
• Check for current fee waivers: State legislation periodically extends fee reductions

Factor these fees into your total project budget using our ADU cost calculator, and review the full ADU cost guide for Los Angeles for comprehensive pricing.

Need Help Navigating ADU Permits?

A licensed ADU builder in Los Angeles handles the entire permitting process — from plan submission through final inspection. New Dawn Construction has a 97% first-try permit approval rate across LA County jurisdictions.