Accessory Structures in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
6 verified accessory structures rules for Los Angeles, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
ADU applications in Los Angeles require no discretionary approval; the City must issue a ministerial decision based solely on objective standards within 60 days of receiving a complete application when a dwelling already exists on the lot.
Accessory Structures: Adu Permits
Few RestrictionsLAMC § 12.22 A.33(c)(2)
(2) An ADU which complies with this subdivision shall not require a discretionary planning approval. The ADU project shall be reviewed in a ministerial and administrative manner, limited to only considering the project's compliance with the applicable objective standards. An application to create an ADU shall be acted upon within 60 days from the date the City receives a completed application i...
ADU Impact Fees
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior ADUs are explicitly exempt from the City of Los Angeles park fee, the primary residential impact fee assessed on new dwelling units, under LAMC § 12.33.
Accessory Structures: Adu Impact Fees
Few RestrictionsLos Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) § 12.33 C.3.(e) and K.4
C. Subject Properties. All new residential dwelling units and joint living and work quarters shall be required to dedicate land, pay a fee or provide a combination of land dedication and fee payment for the purpose of acquiring, expanding and improving park and recreational facilities for new residents. For the purposes of this subsection, dwelling units, Accessory Dwelling Units, Junior Access...
ADU Rental Restrictions
ADUs and JADUs in Los Angeles may be rented to tenants but cannot be sold separately from the main dwelling unit. ADUs permitted after January 1, 2017 cannot be listed on short-term rental platforms unless the ADU is the owner's primary residence.
Accessory Structures: Adu Rental Restrictions
Light RestrictionsLAMC § 12.22 A.33(h)(3); § 12.22 A.32(d)(4)
(h)(3) ADUs and JADUs may be rented but shall not be sold separate from the existing or proposed dwelling unit on the same lot. Movable Tiny Houses may be sold when removed from the lot. (d)(4) [LAMC 12.22 A.32] Accessory Dwelling Units for which a complete building permit application was submitted on or after January 1, 2017, to the Department of Building and Safety pursuant to Section 12.2...
Shed & Carport Rules
Los Angeles has no size exemption for backyard storage sheds. LAMC § 91.106.1.1 requires a building permit before anyone erects, constructs or alters any structure, and the only shed-specific carve-out in § 91.106.2 covers temporary construction-site sheds, not the tool or storage shed homeowners put in a yard.
Los Angeles Backyard Shed Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsLos Angeles Municipal Code §§ 91.106.1.1, 91.106.2 (Item 2)
No person shall erect, construct, alter, repair, demolish, remove or move any building or structure... unless said person has obtained a permit therefor from the department. ... Permit not required for: ... 2. Construction sheds, state approved construction trailers without toilet facilities and sidewalk protection barriers and canopies built pursuant to Division 33, Article 1, Chapter IX of th...
Garage Conversions
When a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished or converted to create an ADU in Los Angeles, no replacement parking may be required for the lost spaces.
Accessory Structures: Garage Conversions
Few RestrictionsLAMC § 12.22 A.33(c)(12)(i), (c)(12)(iii)
(12) Parking Requirements: (i) ADU Parking. One parking space is required for an ADU, except that no parking is required for an ADU that is: a. Located within one-half mile walking distance of a public transit. For this purpose, public transit means a location, including, but not limited to, a bus stop or train station, where the public may access buses, trains, subways, and other forms of tran...
Tiny Homes
Los Angeles allows one Movable Tiny House per lot as an ADU, with wheels hidden from view, connections to water/sewer/electric, compliance with ANSI A119.5 or NFPA 1192 safety standards, a 2-story height limit, and prohibition from placement in the front yard.
Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes
Light RestrictionsLAMC § 12.22 A.33(f)
(f) Requirements for Movable Tiny Houses as Accessory Dwelling Units. A Movable Tiny House must comply with all of the provisions provided in Paragraph (c) except for any provisions in Paragraph (c) which apply solely to buildings and structures; and this Paragraph (f): (1) Only one Movable Tiny House is allowed to be located on a lot and no lot may be approved for more than one moveable tiny h...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Los Angeles city rules.
Accessory Structures in Los Angeles County →