ADU builder · San Fernando Valley
ADU builder in the San Fernando Valley.
Design, permits, financing and construction from one local team. 600+ ADUs delivered across greater LA, with completed projects throughout the San Fernando Valley.
Licensed & insured · Construction from $275/sq ft · 5.0★ rated
Building an ADU in the San Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley accounts for close to half of the ADUs permitted in the City of Los Angeles. In 2025 the Valley's fourteen City of LA planning areas issued about 5,786 ADU permits, roughly 47% of the citywide total, according to state housing reports. Burbank added about 241 more and the City of San Fernando about 58. Big postwar lots, detached garages and a lot of multifamily housing give Valley owners room to work with.
We've built across the Valley: a modern ADU with a vaulted ceiling in Van Nuys, a Spanish-style unit and an attached studio in Burbank, hillside and two-story ADUs in Tujunga, and a 1,200 sq ft, 3-bedroom ADU in Lake View Terrace for three generations of one family. Our office is in Glendale, just east of Burbank.
Every project starts with a fixed quote. One project manager stays with you from the first drawing to final inspection, and we can help you line up financing through our financing guide and lender contacts.
ADUs in the San Fernando Valley: quick facts
Updated November 2026
- Who issues ADU permits
- Depends on the city: City of LA neighborhoods use LADBS; other cities run their own permits
- 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.
Areas we cover in the San Fernando Valley
Real San Fernando Valley projects
ADUs we've built in the San Fernando Valley.
Some include a video walkthrough with the homeowner.
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 the San Fernando Valley.
LADBS or your own city
Most Valley neighborhoods are in the City of Los Angeles and go through LADBS, where the Standard Plan program offers pre-approved ADU designs. Burbank and San Fernando are separate cities with their own plan check, and we handle either.
Built for Valley summers
Hot summers make insulation, window choice and cooling capacity matter more here. We size the HVAC for the unit and the lot's sun exposure, and a mini-split is a common fit for a one- or two-bedroom ADU.
Flat valley floor, steep edges
Most Valley lots are flat, which keeps site work simple. Lots in the hills along the Santa Monica Mountains, the Verdugos and the foothills above Sunland and Tujunga can need grading, retaining walls and fire-zone materials, so we check slope and fire maps before design.
Garages and multifamily lots
Detached garages at the back of the lot are common across the Valley and often convert well. See garage conversion cost for numbers, or read about multifamily ADUs if you own an apartment building.
What it costs
ADU cost in the San Fernando Valley
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 San Fernando Valley 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
San Fernando Valley ADU questions, answered.
Still have a question? Ask us during your free consultation.
Who issues ADU permits in the San Fernando Valley?
It depends on where the lot is. Most of the Valley, from North Hollywood and Van Nuys to Encino, Reseda and Sun Valley, is part of the City of Los Angeles, so permits come from LADBS. Burbank and the City of San Fernando run their own building departments, and we submit to whichever office covers your address.
How much does an ADU cost to build in the Valley?
Our construction rates are flat: $275, $300 or $325 per sq ft for basic, mid-range or luxury finishes. At those rates a 600 sq ft one-bedroom comes to roughly $165K–$195K, and garage conversions run $235–$285 per sq ft. Your fixed quote can land above size times rate if the lot needs a panel upgrade, a long sewer run or hillside foundation work.
Does the Valley heat change how an ADU is built?
It changes the energy design. Summers here run hotter than near the coast, so we size insulation, windows and the cooling system for that from the start, often with a ductless mini-split. Roof overhangs and window placement also help keep afternoon sun out of the main room.
Is a garage conversion a good option on a Valley lot?
Often it is. Many Valley houses have a detached garage at the back of the lot, and converting it reuses the slab, walls and roof. State law doesn't require new setbacks for an existing garage being converted, though older garages can still need foundation, framing or electrical work first.
Can I build more than one ADU on my Valley property?
On many single-family lots you can add a detached ADU plus a junior ADU of up to 500 sq ft inside the house. Multifamily lots, which are common in Van Nuys, North Hollywood and Sherman Oaks, can often add more than one ADU. We confirm the count for your lot on the consultation, since ADU rules change.
Free consultation
Ready to build your ADU in the San Fernando Valley?
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.
