ADU Resource Center

Pre-approved plans · Los Angeles

Pre-approved ADU
plans for LA.

Skip the slowest part of permitting. With LA's ADU Standard Plan Program, proven designs are pre-cleared by the city — so you break ground weeks (sometimes months) sooner. We'll match you to a plan and handle the whole submission.

39

Proven plans

600+

ADUs delivered

Weeks

Faster permitting

Free consultation

Find your fast-track plan

Tell us about your lot — we'll match you to a pre-approved plan and map the fastest permitting path within 1 business day.

Or call (866) 429-1440 · No obligation · We respect your privacy

The short version

Pre-approved = pre-cleared by the city.

A standard (pre-approved) ADU plan is a complete design the City of Los Angeles has already reviewed and approved. When you build from one, the city no longer re-checks the whole building design — it only reviews the site-specific details. That's where the big time savings come from.

Faster

Skip the design queue.

The building design is already approved, so plan-check focuses only on your site — dramatically less waiting.

Lower risk

Fewer corrections.

Pre-vetted plans mean fewer plan-check rejections and back-and-forth that stall typical projects.

Proven

Built before.

These are real, code-compliant designs that have gone through the city — not experiments.

How it works

From plan pick to permit, fast.

  1. 01

    Pick a plan that fits your lot

    Start from our catalog of proven, code-compliant ADU designs — studios to 4-bedroom. We confirm which fit your lot, setbacks, and goals.

  2. 02

    We prepare it for permitting

    We adapt the plan to your site (utilities, foundation, access) and assemble a clean, ready-to-submit package for the city.

  3. 03

    Fast-tracked city review

    Pre-approved / standard plans skip the full design review queue — the city checks site-specific items only, so approval is dramatically faster.

  4. 04

    Permit issued — build begins

    With the permit in hand, your vetted contractor breaks ground. One team manages it through inspections and move-in.

39 ready-to-build designs

Start from a proven plan.

Studios to 4-bedroom, 350–1,200+ sq ft — all code-compliant and ready to customize to your lot. We'll match you to the design that permits fastest for your property and goals.

Browse all 39 floor plans →

What you still control

  • Finishes, fixtures & cabinetry
  • Flooring, paint & interior selections
  • Plan size & bedroom count (pick the right base)
  • Placement & orientation on your lot

Want heavier changes? We'll tell you honestly whether to keep fast-track status or go custom.

Questions

Pre-approved ADU plan questions.

Still have a question? Ask us during your free consultation.

What is LA's ADU Standard Plan Program?

The City of Los Angeles' ADU Standard Plan Program pre-approves complete ADU designs so they can be permitted much faster. Once a plan is in the program, the city has already reviewed the building design — so when you use it, plan-check focuses only on site-specific details (placement, utilities, foundation). That can cut weeks to months off the permitting timeline.

How much faster are pre-approved plans?

Because the structural and architectural design is already approved, you skip the longest part of plan-check. Many homeowners see permitting shrink from several months to a matter of weeks for the building review — the remaining time is just the site-specific review and standard processing.

Can I customize a pre-approved ADU plan?

Yes, within limits. The point of a pre-approved plan is that the core design is locked so it stays fast-track eligible — but finishes, fixtures, and many interior selections are still yours. If you want heavier changes, we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth keeping the fast-track status or designing custom.

Do I still need a permit if I use a pre-approved plan?

Yes — pre-approved plans speed up the review, they don't remove the permit requirement. You still pull a building permit, but the building-design portion is already cleared, so it's faster and lower-risk. We handle the entire submission for you.

Which plans qualify, and do you have them?

We design from proven, code-compliant plans built to move through LA permitting efficiently, and we'll match you to one that fits your lot. Browse our floor plans to see sizes and layouts, then book a consultation and we'll confirm the fastest path for your property.

How much does an ADU with a pre-approved plan cost?

Using a pre-approved plan mainly saves time and design/permitting cost — construction cost still depends on size, type, and finishes. Use our ADU cost calculator for a quick estimate, or book a consultation for an all-in number for your lot.

Free consultation

Find your fast-track ADU plan.

Tell us about your lot and we'll match you to a pre-approved plan, confirm what's customizable, and map the fastest path to permit — then build it. No obligation.