ADU builder · Alhambra, CA
ADU builder in Alhambra.
Design, permits, financing and construction from one local team. 600+ ADUs delivered across greater LA, including projects in and around Alhambra.
Licensed & insured · Construction from $275/sq ft · 5.0★ rated
Building an ADU in Alhambra
Alhambra is a dense, mostly flat city of older bungalows and postwar homes, many with a garage or open yard behind the house. Homeowners here build to bring parents close, to give grown kids a place of their own, or to rent. The city is busy with ADUs: state housing reports show about 102 ADU permits in Alhambra in 2025, and about 172 ADU units in applications that year.
ADU Resource Center designs, permits and builds ADUs in Alhambra with one team. Our Alhambra ADU is a single-story unit with an open kitchen and island, gray plank floors, laundry hookups off the hall and ductless mini-splits. Close by we've built in South Pasadena, Montebello and Pasadena.
Before construction starts you get a fixed quote. One project manager stays with you from the first drawing to final inspection, and we can help you line up financing.
ADUs in Alhambra: quick facts
Updated November 2026
- Who issues ADU permits
- City of Alhambra
- Our construction rates
- $275, $300 or $325 per sq ft (basic, mid-range, luxury); garage conversions $235–$285 per sq ft
- Example cost
- A 600 sq ft one-bedroom runs about $165K–$195K in construction
- Size limits under state law
- Detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft on many lots; junior ADUs up to 500 sq ft inside the home
- Permit decision
- State law requires a decision within 60 days of a complete application
- Who builds it
- ADU Resource Center: design, permits and construction by one team, 600+ ADUs delivered, office in Glendale
ADU rules change. We confirm the current rules for your lot on the free consultation.
Real projects in and around Alhambra
Our work in and around Alhambra.
Hear it from our clients
Homeowners on building their ADU with us
More stories on our testimonials page.
Local know-how
What to know before building in Alhambra.
Building Division leads
In Alhambra the ADU goes in as a building permit through the city's online portal, and the Building Division sends it to the other departments for review. You don't file a separate planning application for a standard ADU.
Steady permit activity
Alhambra reported about 158 ADU permits in 2023, 115 in 2024 and 102 in 2025 to the state. City staff see a lot of ADU plans, and a complete package with clean drawings gets through review faster.
Garage conversions
Alhambra doesn't ask for replacement parking when an existing garage becomes an ADU. See garage conversion cost for what the work usually involves.
Regional pre-approved plans
Alhambra takes part in the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments' pre-approved ADU plans program. We'll compare those plans with our floor plans for your lot.
What it costs
ADU cost in Alhambra
We build at a flat rate per square foot: $275 (basic), $300 (mid-range) and $325 (luxury) finishes. Here's what that means for common sizes. Construction only; design, permits and city fees are quoted separately on your consultation.
| ADU size | Basic | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 sq ft studio | ~$110K | ~$120K | ~$130K |
| 600 sq ft 1-bedroom | ~$165K | ~$180K | ~$195K |
| 800 sq ft 2-bedroom | ~$220K | ~$240K | ~$260K |
| 1,000 sq ft 2–3 bedroom | ~$275K | ~$300K | ~$325K |
Get a number for your exact size: ADU cost calculator · Browse ADU floor plans · Converting a garage? See garage conversion cost.
Free consultation
Start your Alhambra ADU.
Tell us about your property. We'll confirm what's buildable, give you a real price range and walk through financing within 1 business day.
Questions
Alhambra ADU questions, answered.
Still have a question? Ask us during your free consultation.
Do I need a planning application for an ADU in Alhambra?
Usually not. Alhambra reviews ADUs through a building permit: plans go to the Building Division's online permit portal, and the division routes them to the other city departments that need to sign off. Tree removal or grading on your lot can still need its own permit. We handle the submittal and every correction round.
What did you build in Alhambra?
A single-story ADU with tan stucco walls, an open kitchen with white shaker cabinets and an island, gray wood-look plank floors and mirrored closets in the bedrooms. Ductless mini-splits handle heating and cooling, with the outdoor units tucked along the side yard. The photos are on this page.
How much does an ADU cost in Alhambra?
We charge a flat construction rate of $275, $300 or $325 per sq ft, depending on finish level. That puts a 600 sq ft one-bedroom at about $165K–$195K to build. Your fixed quote can differ if the lot needs a panel upgrade, a long sewer run or extra foundation work, and we spell that out before construction.
Can I turn my Alhambra garage into an ADU?
In many cases, yes, and Alhambra doesn't require new parking when you convert an existing garage or part of the house. Conversions are priced at $235, $260 or $285 per sq ft. Older garages sometimes need new footings or framing before they can be lived in, so we inspect it first.
Can I use pre-approved plans in Alhambra?
Alhambra is one of the cities in the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments' pre-approved ADU plans program. Those plans can shorten design, though your lot still needs its own site plan and utility checks. We can work from one of them or from our own floor plans.
Free consultation
Ready to build your ADU in Alhambra?
Tell us about your property and we'll confirm what's buildable, give you a real price range and lay out financing on one free call.
