Encino ADU Building Essentials
Careful budgeting is essential for any ADU project to avoid unexpected costs during construction. By fully understanding all expenses—such as sitework, utility connections, construction, finishes, design, and permitting—you can ensure your project stays within your financial limits.
It’s important that your ADU design fits your budget, not the other way around. Discuss any budget constraints early in the design phase to prevent expensive revisions later.
Begin with a rough estimate that includes both construction and pre-development costs like architectural designs, permits, and site preparation. This initial estimate will serve as a foundation for financing discussions. From there, refine the estimate through the Feasibility process, where your ADU builder will assess all potential hidden costs specific to your project.
Essential ADU Rules for Encino
Maximum Sizes
A detached ADU can be up to 1,200 square feet, regardless of the size of the main residence.
Encino ADU Regulations
ADUs are subject to the following regulations:
Size: ADUs can be up to 1,200 square feet for detached units. For attached ADUs, the maximum size is 50% of the primary home's floor area, with an overall cap of 1,200 square feet.
Setbacks: Minimum setbacks are 4 feet for side and rear property lines, while front yard setbacks must follow the standard zoning requirements for the property.
Height: ADUs are typically limited to 16 feet in height for single-story structures and up to 25 feet for two-story structures.
Parking: Generally, one parking space per ADU is required. However, numerous exemptions exist, such as for ADUs located within a half-mile of public transit, in historic districts, or in areas where on-street parking permits are required but not offered to ADU residents.
JADUs (Junior Accessory Dwelling Units): JADUs up to 500 square feet are allowed, with owner occupancy required for either the primary residence or the JADU itself.
Permits: A Coastal Development Permit is required if the property is located within the Coastal Zone to ensure compliance with coastal-specific regulations.
Encino ADU Permitting
ADU Permitting Includes:
Planning Approval: Submit plans to LADBS for a zoning review to ensure the ADU complies with all local and state regulations. This step confirms the ADU meets specific requirements for the property’s zoning designation, such as maximum size, setbacks, and lot coverage limits.
Building Permit: After obtaining planning approval, a building permit is required for any ADU construction to ensure it meets residential building codes, covering standards for safety, structural integrity, and energy efficiency.
Coastal Development Permit: If the property is located within the Coastal Zone, a Coastal Development Permit from LADBS is necessary. This permit ensures the ADU meets development regulations for environmentally sensitive coastal areas and aligns with the California Coastal Act.
Soils Report: A soils report is typically required for new ADU construction, especially in areas with seismic concerns, to assess soil stability and ensure the foundation can adequately support the structure.
Fees: Permit fees vary depending on the project’s scope, size, and location. These fees cover planning, building, and inspection services, with specific rates set by LADBS for projects within its jurisdiction.
ADU Zoning in Encino
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) zoning regulations include the following zoning regulations:
Zones Allowed: ADUs are permitted in most residential zones, including single-family and multifamily zones. This allows homeowners across various residential areas to add ADUs to their properties.
Lot Coverage: ADUs must comply with the maximum lot coverage limits established for their specific zoning area. These limits ensure that the addition of an ADU does not result in overdevelopment of the property.
Setbacks: The minimum required setbacks for ADUs are typically 4 feet from both side and rear property lines. These setback requirements help maintain adequate space between structures and property boundaries.
Height: The maximum height for a detached ADU is generally 16 feet. However, if the ADU is within half a mile of a major transit stop or is part of a multifamily property, the height limit may increase to 18 feet. These height restrictions are in place to ensure that ADUs remain compatible with the scale of existing residential structures.
Parking: Typically, one parking space is required for an ADU. However, this requirement is waived if the ADU is located within half a mile of public transit, is part of an existing primary residence or accessory structure, or is in an area where on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupant of the ADU. These exemptions are intended to encourage the development of ADUs in areas with accessible public transportation options.
ADU Building Codes in Encino
ADU building codes generally follow California state standards with local amendments including the following building codes:
Fire Safety: ADUs must meet fire separation codes, maintaining a minimum of 6 feet between structures. Fire sprinklers may be required based on factors such as the size of the ADU and whether the main dwelling has sprinklers. For instance, an automatic sprinkler system is required when the combined floor area of an ADU and an attached garage exceeds 1,200 square feet.
Energy Efficiency: ADUs must comply with California’s Title 24 energy standards, ensuring energy-efficient design and construction.
Plumbing and Electrical: ADUs must adhere to standard residential building codes for plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems. ADU building sewers, for example, must connect separately to the public sewer or trunk sewer according to local plumbing codes.
Foundation: ADUs must meet local seismic and soils conditions, often necessitating a soils report to confirm foundation stability.
Accessibility: ADUs are not required to meet full ADA standards unless specified by the project scope. However, some accessibility features may be required depending on local regulations.
Serving Zip Codes: 91316, 91436
Setbacks
Side/Rear Setbacks: Minimum 4 feet.
Front Setback: Must follow zoning rules.
Two-Story
Height: Up to 16 feet for a single story structure, 25 feet for a two story structure.
Building Seperation
Separation: Minimum 6 feet from existing structures.