ADU Construction · Sherman Oaks
ADU Construction in Sherman Oaks, CA
Backyard cottages, attached units and garage-based ADUs for Sherman Oaks lots, with state ADU protections applied and hillside fire rules checked before design.
- Licensed California general contractor
- Permits with LADBS
- Written, line-item estimates
- Design, engineering & construction
Sherman Oaks, CA
ADU Construction for Sherman Oaks Homeowners
ADU construction in Sherman Oaks follows California's ADU laws as applied by the City of Los Angeles, one of the most active ADU permitting cities in the state. Simply Construction designs, permits and builds detached backyard units, attached ADUs and garage-based units under one contract. We start with the parcel record and a site walk, confirm where a unit fits and how utilities will reach it, and then carry the plans through LADBS plan check and the build through final inspection.
Local Knowledge
Where an ADU Fits on a Sherman Oaks Lot
Los Angeles has permitted at least 26,862 ADUs since statewide legalization, and in one recent year about one in three homes permitted in the city was an ADU. On the flats north of Ventura, many post-war lots with a one-story house leave room behind it for a detached unit, and state law protects a unit of at least 800 square feet with setbacks as small as 4 feet from the side and rear lines, whatever the local floor area math says. The practical constraints there tend to be the sewer connection, the electrical service and how equipment reaches the back of the lot.
South of Ventura, hillside lots in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone need more checking. Fire department access, the width of the street and sprinkler requirements all come into play, and slopes add retaining walls and soils engineering. A unit near Mulholland Drive may also need review under the scenic parkway specific plan. Some hillside lots can't support a unit at all, while others simply need more design time and budget, so we sort that out before drawings begin.
What's Included
What Our ADU Service Includes
- Parcel and site review covering zoning, setbacks, fire zone status and utility routes
- Design coordination with your architect for a freestanding unit, an attached unit or a garage-based ADU
- LADBS plan check submittal, correction responses and coordination with sanitation and fire reviews
- Utility work for sewer, water, gas and electrical service, including panel or meter upgrades
- Foundation, framing, roofing, finishes and a complete kitchen and bathroom
- Inspections through final sign-off, with a walkthrough of the finished unit's systems
For the full scope, process and options, see our main ADU construction page, or browse everything we build on our Sherman Oaks service area page.
Planning Considerations
ADU Decisions to Make Early
Size and fees
Keeping a unit under 750 square feet exempts it from impact fees under state law. A detached unit can generally go up to 1,200 square feet, and the extra room may be worth it for a family member or a long-term tenant. We price both sizes with you, including the fee difference, so the decision rests on your goals and the full budget rather than construction cost alone.
Height and privacy
A detached ADU is generally limited to 16 feet, or 18 feet within a half mile of major transit, which we confirm from the parcel record. An attached unit can reach 25 feet or the main house height, whichever is lower. Height changes how much the unit looks into neighboring yards, so we plan window placement and landscaping with privacy in mind for both you and the people next door.
Why Choose Us
Why Sherman Oaks Homeowners Choose Simply Construction
Contracts Written the Way California Law Requires
California caps a home improvement down payment at $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less, and after that a contractor may only bill for work completed or materials delivered. Our contracts follow that structure: a line-item scope, a payment schedule tied to finished milestones, and written change orders before any extra work begins. You always know what you are paying for and why.
Permits Handled With LADBS
Most delays on large residential projects start at the permit counter. We prepare the drawing set, coordinate structural and Title 24 energy calculations, answer plan-check comments and schedule inspections with LADBS, so you are not the one chasing corrections. For ADUs, state law requires the agency to act on a complete application within 60 days, and a complete, well-coordinated submittal is what starts that clock.
Written, Line-Item Estimates
Before you commit, you receive a written estimate that breaks the project into its real parts: design and engineering, permit and utility fees, foundation, framing, systems, finishes and site work. Allowances are named and priced, so you can see where your selections move the budget. If the scope changes, the numbers change on paper first, never as a surprise on the final invoice.
More in Sherman Oaks
Other Services in Sherman Oaks
Nearby
ADU Construction Near Sherman Oaks
FAQ
ADU Construction in Sherman Oaks: Common Questions
How long does the city have to approve an ADU in Sherman Oaks?
State law requires the city to act on a complete ADU permit application within 60 days. The key word is complete: missing reports or unclear plans lead to correction cycles that restart the conversation. We submit a thorough package and respond to plan check comments quickly to keep the review moving.
Can I build both an ADU and a junior ADU?
State law generally allows a detached ADU and a junior ADU on the same single-family lot. The junior unit has to fit within the existing house or an attached garage, stay at or under 500 square feet and include at least an efficiency kitchen, and the owner must occupy either it or the main house.
How disruptive is building a backyard ADU?
The work happens mostly in the backyard, but trenching for sewer and utilities crosses the lot, and deliveries use the driveway. We plan the route for materials and equipment, protect landscaping you want to keep, and schedule the loudest phases in advance, so you can keep using the main house normally.
Start Your Project
Planning an ADU in Sherman Oaks?
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]