Is your backyard buildable?a rental?a guest house?extra income?bigger than you think?
Enter your address. In seconds, see if you can build an ADU on your lot, how big — and the exact city rules behind the answer.
Free · no signup · cites the actual ordinance
Can I build an ADU in Los Angeles?
In most cases, yes. Under California’s statewide ADU law, nearly every single-family lot in the City of Los Angeles can add at least one accessory dwelling unit — a backyard home, garage conversion, or granny flat — and many can also add a junior ADU inside the existing house. A detached ADU is commonly allowed up to 1,200 square feet. The real questions are how big your lot allows and which overlays (hillside, coastal, historic) apply. BackyardCheck answers both in seconds from your address, and cites the exact LA Municipal Code section and effective date behind every verdict — so you can act on the answer instead of guessing. It’s a sourced estimate, not an official determination, so confirm with the City before you spend.
How it works
Enter your address
We pinpoint your exact parcel and pull its zoning from the City of LA's own data.
Instant feasibility
A rules engine applies LA's ADU code to your lot — allowed or not, and how big.
See the receipts
Every answer links the exact ordinance section and effective date. No black box.
Why you can trust the answer
A wrong “yes” costs you thousands. So we’d rather be careful than confident.
We show our work
Each verdict cites the specific LAMC section and California state law behind it — with the date it took effect.
Built to be right, not just fast
Tricky lots — overlays, hillside, specific plans — are flagged for review instead of given a false green light.
Real city data
Parcels and zoning come straight from the City of Los Angeles GeoHub, refreshed as the city updates it.
Questions
- Can I build an ADU on my property in Los Angeles?
- In most cases, yes. Under California's statewide ADU law, nearly every single-family lot in the City of Los Angeles can add at least one accessory dwelling unit, and often a junior ADU inside the existing home as well. The real question is how big yours can be and which overlays apply — enter your address and BackyardCheck answers both, citing the exact city rule behind the verdict.
- How big of an ADU can I build in LA?
- A detached ADU in the City of Los Angeles is commonly allowed up to 1,200 square feet, and a junior ADU up to 500 square feet inside your existing home. Your lot size, setbacks, and any overlays set the actual ceiling. BackyardCheck calculates the buildable size for your specific parcel from the City's own zoning data.
- Do I need extra parking to build an ADU in Los Angeles?
- Often not. California law bars cities from requiring added parking for an ADU within half a mile of transit, among other exemptions. Whether your address qualifies depends on its location, so BackyardCheck flags the parking rule that applies to your parcel rather than guessing.
- Is BackyardCheck an official city determination?
- No. It's a fast, well-sourced estimate to help you decide whether to pursue an ADU. Every answer cites the specific LA Municipal Code section and its effective date, but you should always confirm with LA City Planning / LADBS before spending money.
- What is an ADU?
- An Accessory Dwelling Unit — a backyard home, granny flat, or converted garage. It's a legal, self-contained second home on the same lot as a primary house, with its own kitchen, bath, and entrance.
- Which areas does BackyardCheck cover, and will it estimate cost and rent?
- The City of Los Angeles to start, expanding neighborhood by neighborhood; if your address isn't covered yet, we say so plainly. A build-cost range, likely rent, and a simple payback estimate are coming next so you can judge whether an ADU is worth it.