ADU builder · Torrance, CA
ADU builder in Torrance.
Design, permits, financing and construction from one local team. 600+ ADUs delivered across greater LA, including nearby El Segundo, San Pedro, Long Beach & South Los Angeles.
Licensed & insured · Construction from $275/sq ft · 5.0★ rated
Building an ADU in Torrance
Torrance is a big South Bay city with a lot of single-family neighborhoods. It issued about 301 ADU permits in 2023, about 212 in 2024 and about 172 in 2025, per state housing reports. Some hillside and coastal parcels fall under the city's Hillside and Local Coastal Overlay, which adds its own standards and review.
ADU Resource Center designs, permits and builds ADUs with one in-house team. Our closest work is in El Segundo, where we built a detached ADU with sliding glass walls at one corner; in San Pedro, where we added an ADU above a garage; and in Long Beach, where we built a 400 sq ft rental with a 12-foot vaulted ceiling.
We put a fixed quote in writing before construction starts. The same project manager carries your project from design through the city's review and final inspection, and we can help you arrange financing.
ADUs in Torrance: quick facts
Updated November 2026
- Who issues ADU permits
- City of Torrance
- 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 Torrance.
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 Torrance.
Torrance runs its own permits
ADU plans go through the Planning Division and the Building and Safety Division of Torrance's Community Development Department. We put together the submittal and respond to each correction round.
Hillside and coastal overlay
Lots in the city's Hillside and Local Coastal Overlay can face added review, and coastal-zone projects may go to the California Coastal Commission. We check your parcel against the overlay before design.
Rules updated in 2025
Torrance amended its ADU ordinance in October 2025. We design to the current standards, and our permit roadmap walks through the general steps.
Above-garage and attached options
Where the backyard is small, an ADU above a garage or attached to the house can work. Browse floor plans to compare layouts.
What it costs
ADU cost in Torrance
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 Torrance 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
Torrance ADU questions, answered.
Still have a question? Ask us during your free consultation.
Who issues ADU permits in Torrance?
Torrance is its own city, so ADU plans go to the City of Torrance Community Development Department: the Planning Division for zoning and the Building and Safety Division for plan check. We prepare the plans, submit them and respond to the corrections.
Did Torrance change its ADU rules recently?
Yes. The City Council amended Torrance's ADU ordinance in October 2025, and the Planning Commission has looked at how state housing laws affect the Hillside Overlay since then. Because the local rules keep moving, we check the current code for your lot on the consultation.
How much does an ADU cost in Torrance?
Our construction rates are a flat $275, $300 or $325 per sq ft, depending on whether you pick basic, mid-range or luxury finishes. A 600 sq ft one-bedroom lands around $165K–$195K, and a garage conversion runs $235–$285 per sq ft. Hillside grading, coastal review or utility upgrades can change the fixed quote for your property.
What if my home is in the Hillside or coastal area?
Part of Torrance is covered by the city's Hillside and Local Coastal Overlay, and projects in the coastal zone may be reviewed by the California Coastal Commission. That can add a step and some design limits. We find out early whether your parcel is affected.
Have you built ADUs near Torrance?
Our nearest projects are a detached ADU with corner glass walls in El Segundo, an above-garage unit in San Pedro and a 400 sq ft one-bedroom in Long Beach.
Free consultation
Ready to build your ADU in Torrance?
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.
