ADU builder · Calabasas, CA
ADU builder in Calabasas.
Design, permits, financing and construction from one local team. 600+ ADUs delivered across greater LA, including nearby Van Nuys, Los Angeles & Venice.
Licensed & insured · Construction from $275/sq ft · 5.0★ rated
Building an ADU in Calabasas
Calabasas is its own city at the west end of the San Fernando Valley, and the whole city is designated a very high fire hazard severity zone. That affects every ADU here, from the roof and vents to the siding. Many lots also sit on slopes, which can mean grading or retaining walls, and some neighborhoods have HOA design rules. Calabasas has its own permit process and its own pre-approved ADU plans, and the city has been updating its ADU ordinance, so the rules for your lot need checking before design starts.
ADU Resource Center designs, permits and builds ADUs across the west San Fernando Valley and Calabasas with one in-house team. Our nearest completed projects are in Van Nuys and Los Angeles, including a poolside studio with skylights and an outdoor fire pit. On the Westside we built a two-story, two-bedroom ADU in Venice that replaced an old rec room. If you're on the LA side of the line, see our Woodland Hills page.
You'll get a fixed quote before construction, a single project manager from design through the city's final inspection, and help with financing.
ADUs in Calabasas: quick facts
Updated November 2026
- Who issues ADU permits
- City of Calabasas
- 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 nearby
ADUs we've built near Calabasas.
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 Calabasas.
City of Calabasas permits
ADUs here are reviewed by the City of Calabasas. The Planning Division issues a zoning clearance first, then Building and Safety checks the full plans. We handle both, along with every correction.
The whole city is a fire zone
Because all of Calabasas is a very high fire hazard severity zone, ADUs are built to the state's wildfire standards with ignition-resistant materials. Brush clearance and defensible space rules apply around the unit as well.
City pre-approved plans
Calabasas has a pre-approved ADU plan program of its own. We can tell you whether one of those plans or one of our 39 floor plans suits your lot.
Slopes and HOAs
Hillside lots can need a soils report, grading and an engineered foundation, and HOA communities may have design rules on top of the city's. We review your site and CC&Rs early so both show up in the quote.
What it costs
ADU cost in Calabasas
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 Calabasas 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
Calabasas ADU questions, answered.
Still have a question? Ask us during your free consultation.
Who approves an ADU in Calabasas?
Calabasas is its own city, so the City of Calabasas reviews your ADU, not LA City or LA County. The process starts with a zoning clearance from the city's Planning Division, and then full building plans go to Building and Safety for plan check. We prepare the plans and handle both steps.
What does ADU construction in Calabasas cost?
Our flat construction rates are $275, $300 and $325 per sq ft for basic, mid-range and luxury finishes. A 600 sq ft mid-range ADU runs about $180K to build. Fire-zone materials, sloped sites and tight access are common in Calabasas, and each one can raise the fixed quote for your lot.
Does the fire zone change how my ADU is built?
Yes. The city says all of Calabasas is designated a very high fire hazard severity zone, so an ADU has to meet the state's wildfire building standards, including ignition-resistant roofing, vents and siding. Defensible space and brush clearance rules apply too. We design to these requirements from the first drawing.
Should I use the city's pre-approved ADU plans or a custom design?
Calabasas runs its own pre-approved ADU plan program, and the city says those plans can shorten plan check. A custom design fits an unusual lot or a specific wish list better. On the consultation we'll look at your lot and tell you which route makes more sense.
My home is in an HOA. Can I still build an ADU?
California law limits how far an HOA can go to stop an ADU, but your association can still apply reasonable design rules. Share your CC&Rs with us early so the design accounts for them. For questions about what your HOA can legally require, talk to a professional who handles HOA law.
Free consultation
Ready to build your ADU in Calabasas?
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.
