What permits do you need?
- Building permit — required for any construction, addition, alteration, or repair, including a garage conversion.
- Trade (sub) permits — electrical (wiring, lighting, outlets, panels), plumbing and sewer (pipes, sinks, toilets, drainage), and mechanical/HVAC (heating, cooling, ventilation).
- Structural permit — structural engineering is required when you change load-bearing elements, such as the old garage-door opening, or add new square footage. In unincorporated LA County, engineering isn’t required if the footprint doesn’t change and the project fits standard parameters.
- Express permits — for simple jobs with no plan review, such as swapping fixtures.
How to apply in the City of LA (LADBS)
In the City of Los Angeles, LADBS uses the ePlanLA portal for plan-check projects and PermitLA for express permits (both need a free Angeleno account). Unincorporated LA County uses the EPIC-LA portal instead. The typical LADBS path:
- Confirm zoning and existing conditions — ZIMAS covers every City of LA lot, from Van Nuys to Woodland Hills.
- Optional pre-submittal meeting with LADBS.
- Create architectural plans.
- Prepare construction documents.
- Submit through ePlanLA, upload plans, pay fees.
- Respond to corrections.
- Permit issuance.
- Inspections.
- Certificate of Occupancy.
A full submittal package typically includes architectural plans, structural engineering, Title 24 energy calculations, civil/grading calculations (if required), and a CALGreen checklist.
How long does it take?
- Ministerial 60-day rule: once a complete application is submitted, LADBS must decide within 60 days.
- Pre-approved plans (AB 1332): jurisdictions must approve or deny a detached ADU built from a pre-approved plan within 30 days.
- Plan check in practice: a first LADBS plan check typically takes 4–10 weeks; legalization reviews typically take 4–12 weeks overall (4–8 in LA Metro). Express permits skip plan review entirely.
Permit fees
Fees depend on the project valuation, plus separate fee tables for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
- LADBS permit fees (attached ADU / garage conversion): typically around $4,000–$18,000, depending on project valuation and the trade work involved.
- Legalizing an unpermitted garage: typically around $6,000–$14,000 including the full plan documentation; the municipal permit and inspection fees themselves are a smaller slice of that total.
- School fees: based on size ($3.79/sq ft for residential); impact fees drop to zero for an ADU under 750 sq ft.
Permit fees are only part of the project budget — our ADU cost calculator gives you a full-project estimate in about a minute.
What if the garage was converted without a permit?
Unpermitted work can trigger code enforcement cases, fines, penalties, liens, and orders to demolish or correct. Common inspection problems include unsafe electrical, missing insulation, no vapor barrier, fire-safety gaps, and missing egress windows.
You can legalize it. Under AB 2533 (Government Code §66332), an ADU or JADU built before January 1, 2020 can be legalized; you’ll need proof of the build date (photos, assessor records, tax documents). New penalties are paused while you’re in the legalization process. The city can only deny legalization for specific substandard, life-safety conditions under the Health and Safety Code §17920.3 checklist — not for general non-compliance with current codes.
Who has to prepare and do the work?
- Licensed contractor: specific trades (especially in legalization) must be done by appropriately licensed contractors (e.g., C-10 for electrical). A qualified homeowner may also do some work after permits are pulled.
- Engineer: required for structural calculations on new additions or when the conversion affects load-bearing elements like the door opening.
- When you can skip the engineer: in unincorporated LA County, single-story garage conversions with no footprint change (and no slope or liquefaction issues) can use the Standard Notes and Details.
City of LA vs. LA County
- City of LA (LADBS): applies its own municipal amendments (LAMC Chapter IX), accepts documents through ePlanLA and PermitLA, requires a city business registration for contractors, and runs the LADBS ADU Standard Plan Program.
- Unincorporated LA County: handled through EPIC-LA and LA County Public Works Building & Safety, with Standard Notes and Details that can avoid hiring an architect and engineer when conditions are met.
Get your permits handled right
Permitting is where most garage conversions stall. As a licensed Class B general contractor (CSLB #1148495), Kobzev Pro prepares the plans, manages the LADBS plan check, and pulls every permit through to the Certificate of Occupancy — see our garage conversion service for how the full process works. Final permit requirements and approvals are set by LADBS.
Based in Van Nuys, in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, Kobzev Pro serves Los Angeles — including Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, and Woodland Hills — and Southern California. We travel up to about 150 miles for the right project, including Ventura, Santa Barbara, Orange County, and the Inland Empire.
Book a free consultation about your garage conversion permits — or get an instant number with our ADU cost calculator. Licensed general contractor, CSLB #1148495.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to convert my garage in Los Angeles?
Yes. A building permit is required, plus trade permits for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work; structural engineering is needed when load-bearing elements change.
How long does a garage conversion permit take?
LADBS must decide on a complete application within 60 days; a first plan check is commonly 4–10 weeks. Pre-approved detached-ADU plans must be decided within 30 days under AB 1332.
How much do garage conversion permits cost?
LADBS permit fees for an attached ADU or garage conversion are typically around $4,000–$18,000, depending on project valuation and trade work. Legalizing an unpermitted garage typically runs around $6,000–$14,000.
My garage was converted before 2020 — can I legalize it?
Yes. Under AB 2533, an ADU or JADU built before January 1, 2020 can be legalized with proof of the build date; the city can only deny for specific life-safety (substandard) conditions.
What happens if I build without a permit?
Code enforcement cases, fines, penalties, liens, and possible orders to correct or demolish — plus problems at resale.
Do I need an engineer or architect?
An engineer is needed for structural changes (like the garage-door opening) or new additions. In unincorporated LA County, a qualifying single-story conversion can use Standard Notes and Details without one.
Can I pull the permits myself?
A qualified homeowner can do some work after permits are issued, but specific trades must be done by licensed contractors.
What is a Certificate of Occupancy?
The final approval document confirming the converted space is legally habitable; it’s required before you occupy or rent the unit.
Is it cheaper to legalize an existing conversion or demolish and rebuild?
It depends on the structure’s condition and code gaps; legalization is often the lower-cost path, but only an on-site assessment gives a real answer.