San Gabriel Valley · FAQ

San Gabriel Valley ADU questions, answered

Questions we get on almost every San Gabriel Valley site walk. If yours isn't here, ask us — we answer everything before you commit.

Is Pasadena's permit process faster than LADBS?

Yes. The Pasadena Permit Center typically lands a ministerial ADU at 6–8 weeks, vs. 8–12 in LADBS. Landmark District properties add 4–8 weeks of HPC review.

Does Bungalow Heaven count as a Landmark District?

Yes — Bungalow Heaven, Garfield Heights, Prospect Park, and Madison Heights are all designated. Contributing structures need HPC review for any visible exterior work.

Does Burbank run its own utility?

Burbank Water & Power handles both water and electric. Connection fees and meter-set timelines are separate from LADWP and need to be coordinated early.

Is Altadena slower than Pasadena?

Yes. Altadena is unincorporated LA County, so permits route through LA County Public Works — generally 2–4 weeks slower than Pasadena city.

Can I build a detached ADU on a Glendale R1 lot?

Yes. State ADU law applies cleanly on Glendale R1 — one detached ADU + one JADU is by-right.

Reference

Terms and guides for this page

Glossary terms

Ministerial Review
Permit review based purely on objective standards — no public hearing, no discretion.
HPOZ (Historic Preservation Overlay Zone)
City of LA designation that imposes design review on alterations within a historic neighborhood.
Title 24
California's energy efficiency code — required for all new construction and most additions.
LA City Planning
The City of LA agency that handles zoning, entitlements, and HPOZ review.
ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)
A self-contained second home on a residential lot, with its own kitchen, bath, and entrance.
JADU (Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit)
A smaller ADU carved out of the existing house, capped at 500 sqft, with owner-occupancy required.

Field guides

The Los Angeles ADU permit process, step by step
Permitting an ADU inside the City of Los Angeles takes about 8–11 weeks of plan check (LADBS) plus 2–4 weeks of pre-submittal prep. State law caps ministerial review at 60 days from a complete submittal. Total city + utility fees for a 700 sqft detached ADU typically run $13,000–$26,000.