ADU Construction · Encino
ADU Construction in Encino, CA
Backyard cottages, attached units and above-garage ADUs sized for Encino lots, placed around mature trees and pools, and permitted through LADBS as one managed project.
- Licensed California general contractor
- Permits with LADBS
- Written, line-item estimates
- Design, engineering & construction
Encino, CA
ADU Construction for Encino Homeowners
ADU construction in Encino often has less to do with finding space and more to do with placing a unit well. Many lots north of Ventura Boulevard are large enough for a full-size detached unit, and the real questions are where it sits relative to the pool, the trees, the neighbors and the utility connections.
Our contract covers the whole unit, whether detached, attached or built from a garage: drawings, engineering, LADBS permits, utilities and construction. On hillside parcels south of Ventura, the same process adds soils review, grading and fire zone construction.
Local Knowledge
Where an ADU Fits on an Encino Lot
On the flat, deep lots of Amestoy Estates and similar parts of north Encino, a detached ADU at the full size state law generally allows, 1,200 square feet, often fits while leaving a usable yard. The practical limit is layout. Pools, patios and mature trees already claim much of the rear yard, and the unit has to share the ground with them without crowding any of it.
In Encino Village, which architect Martin Stern Jr. laid out in two concentric circles in the mid-1950s, lot shapes follow the curve of the street. Rear yards narrow or widen from one side to the other, and a unit designed for a rectangular lot rarely fits without adjustment. We measure the actual lot and design the ADU to it.
South of Ventura, ADUs on Royal Oaks and Encino Hills parcels usually need a level pad, a retaining wall or a stepped foundation. A separate entrance can be the hardest problem to solve, and fire zone rules apply to the ADU exactly as they do to the main house. A protected oak near the proposed footprint, anywhere in Encino, changes where the unit can go.
What's Included
What We Handle on an ADU
- Site layout study around pools, trees, easements and utility connections
- Arborist coordination when a native oak stands near the proposed unit
- Architectural, structural and Title 24 energy drawings for the permit set
- LADBS permit submittal, plan check corrections and fee coordination
- Foundation, framing, roofing, windows, insulation and interior finishes
- Utility connections and final inspection through the certificate of occupancy
For the full scope, process and options, see our main ADU construction page, or browse everything we build on our Encino service area page.
Planning Considerations
Encino ADU Considerations
Family suite or income unit
An Encino ADU may house a parent, an adult child, long-term guests or a tenant, and that choice shapes the design. A family unit might favor a single accessible level, a direct path to the main house and shared outdoor space. A rental benefits from its own entrance, a private patio and sound separation. We design for the use you expect over the next decade, not just the first year.
Working around the pool
On lots with a pool, the ADU often ends up near it, and that placement brings its own details. Fencing and gates around the pool need to be rethought so the barrier still works once the new unit and its entry path are in place. Drainage has to move away from both the unit and the pool deck, and equipment pads sometimes need relocating. We plan the ADU, the pool zone and the path between them together.
Keeping fees in check
ADUs under 750 square feet are exempt from impact fees under state law. For owners who want a comfortable one-bedroom rather than a two-bedroom house, designing just under that line keeps money in the construction budget instead of the fee schedule. We show you what fits on both sides of the threshold. If a second bedroom matters more than the fee, the larger unit may still be the right call.
Why Choose Us
Why Encino Homeowners Choose Simply Construction
Licensed, Bonded and Easy to Verify
Simply Construction inc. is a licensed California general contractor, CSLB [CSLB LICENSE # PLACEHOLDER]. State law requires a license for any job of $1,000 or more in labor and materials, and anyone can check a contractor's license, bond and workers' compensation status on the CSLB website in about a minute. We encourage every Encino homeowner to do exactly that before signing with anyone, including us.
One Team From Plans to Final Inspection
Design, engineering, permitting and construction sit under one contract and one project lead, so nobody points fingers between the designer, the engineer and the builder when a detail changes. You get one schedule, one point of contact and regular progress updates from the first site visit through the final inspection and sign-off on your Encino project.
Built to Current California Energy Code
New homes and ADUs in California are built to the Title 24 energy code, which has required solar PV on most new single-family homes since 2020, and permit applications filed on or after January 1, 2026 fall under the 2025 Energy Code. We plan insulation, windows, mechanical systems and solar into the design from the start instead of treating compliance as a late fix.
More in Encino
Other Services in Encino
FAQ
ADU Construction in Encino: Common Questions
How big can an ADU be on my Encino lot?
The ceiling for a detached unit is generally 1,200 square feet, and the city cannot use lot coverage or floor area limits to block one of at least 800 square feet. Your lot's layout, trees, easements and slope decide what is practical. We measure the site, check hillside and fire zone status, and show you the realistic options before design.
Will an ADU hurt the oaks on my property?
It should not, if the project is planned properly. We map protected trees on the survey, have an arborist set protection zones, and design foundations and utility trenches to avoid major roots. If an oak truly conflicts with the only workable location, removal or relocation needs a city permit, which we discuss with you before design goes further.
Can I have both an ADU and a junior ADU?
In most cases, yes. State law allows a detached ADU and a junior ADU on the same single-family lot, which can give a household a backyard unit plus a suite inside the house. The junior unit is capped at 500 square feet, and the owner must live on the property. We confirm the combination against your parcel's rules.
Start Your Project
Planning an ADU in Encino?
Tell us about your property and goals. We will walk the site, flag anything LADBS will care about, and give you a written, line-item estimate.
Licensed California General Contractor · CSLB [CSLB LICENSE # PLACEHOLDER]