ADU Construction · Glendale
ADU Construction in Glendale, CA
Detached backyard units and attached ADUs for Glendale homes, planned around the lot, the city's ADU rules, historic districts and hillside conditions.
- Licensed California general contractor
- Permits with the City of Glendale
- Written, line-item estimates
- Design, engineering & construction
Glendale, CA
ADU Construction for Glendale Homeowners
We provide ADU construction in Glendale for homeowners adding a rental, a home for a parent or adult child, or a guest house with its own kitchen. Simply Construction handles design coordination, permitting and construction under one contract, and we plan each accessory dwelling unit around your lot rather than forcing a standard plan onto it.
Glendale's lots vary widely. A flat parcel in Kenneth Village and a canyon lot in Whiting Woods may both qualify for an ADU, but the design, engineering and budget will look nothing alike.
Local Knowledge
Planning an ADU in Glendale
Glendale has its own ADU ordinance, and state law sets the floor beneath it. That floor guarantees a decision on a complete application within 60 days, and room for at least an 800 square foot ADU with 4-foot side and rear setbacks even where local floor area caps would say otherwise. Detached ADUs can generally reach 1,200 square feet, and units under 750 square feet are exempt from impact fees.
On the flatter blocks of Kenneth Village, Sparr Heights and parts of Montrose, a backyard unit usually comes down to placement, mature trees, and how sewer and power reach the rear of the lot. In historic districts such as Rossmoyne, a unit visible from the street is best designed to suit the historic setting, with a roof form and materials that relate to the main house.
Hillside lots add grading, retaining walls, long utility trenches and fire-code detailing to the scope. On narrow canyon streets, construction access and fire safety need early attention, so we check the street, the slope and the fire hazard map before recommending a design.
What's Included
Scope of a Glendale ADU Project
- Site review covering setbacks, slope, trees, utilities and fire hazard zone status
- Design coordination for detached, attached or above-garage units
- Permit submittal to Glendale and responses to plan check comments
- Utility planning with Glendale Water & Power for electrical capacity and service
- Stepped or conventional foundations, framing, roofing and Title 24 compliance
- Kitchen, bath and interior finishes through final inspection
For the full scope, process and options, see our main ADU construction page, or browse everything we build on our Glendale service area page.
Planning Considerations
Decisions That Shape a Glendale ADU
Staying under 750 square feet
Because ADUs under 750 square feet are exempt from impact fees under state law, that size is a natural target for many Glendale homeowners. A well-planned one-bedroom unit fits comfortably below it. If you need two bedrooms for family, a larger unit may still be worth the fees, and we show you both options side by side.
Hillside ADUs
On a sloped Glendale lot, a detached ADU may need a stepped foundation, retaining walls or a location near the street rather than behind the house. Fire zone construction requirements apply to the unit just as they do to the main home. Those factors shape cost more than finishes do, so we estimate them before design is complete.
Designing for how you will use it
An ADU for an aging parent calls for step-free entries, wider doors and a bathroom ready for grab bars later. A rental unit benefits from private outdoor space and good sound separation from the main house. We design around the use you have in mind, which also helps the unit hold its value over time.
Why Choose Us
Why Glendale 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 Glendale 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 Glendale project.
Care for Your Street and Your Neighbors
Large projects happen next door to people who live there. We plan staging, dumpster placement, deliveries and working hours around Glendale rules, keep the site secured at the end of each day, and give you notice before loud or disruptive phases such as demolition, concrete pours or crane lifts, so you can give your neighbors a heads-up too.
More in Glendale
Other Services in Glendale
FAQ
ADU Construction in Glendale: Common Questions
Is there a size limit for a Glendale ADU?
State law guarantees room for at least an 800 square foot ADU with 4-foot side and rear setbacks, whatever local lot coverage or floor area limits say, and detached units can generally reach 1,200 square feet. The city's ordinance and your lot's setbacks, slope and utilities decide the final size. We map the options on your site plan.
Can I build an ADU in a historic district?
State law allows ADUs on historic properties, although cities can apply standards meant to protect historic resources. SB 9 is a different matter, since it generally excludes historic districts. For a home in a historic district, we design the unit so its scale, placement and materials respect the house and street, which helps review go smoothly.
Do I need a new electrical service for my ADU?
Often. Many older homes have electrical services sized for a smaller house, and adding an all-electric ADU can push them past capacity. We calculate the load early and coordinate any service upgrade with Glendale Water & Power, which serves the city, so utility work doesn't hold up final inspection.
Start Your Project
Planning an ADU in Glendale?
Tell us about your property and goals. We will walk the site, flag anything the City of Glendale will care about, and give you a written, line-item estimate.
Licensed California General Contractor · CSLB [CSLB LICENSE # PLACEHOLDER]