Garage Conversions · Burbank
Garage Conversions in Burbank, CA
Turn a Burbank garage into a permitted ADU or junior ADU with a proper floor, insulation, egress and utilities, planned so the conversion satisfies both city parking rules and state law.
- Licensed California general contractor
- Permits with the City of Burbank
- Written, line-item estimates
- Design, engineering & construction
Burbank, CA
Garage Conversions for Burbank Homeowners
Garage conversions in Burbank need more thought about parking than most homeowners expect, and that planning decides whether the project moves smoothly or stalls. Simply Construction converts detached and attached garages into permitted living space, most often as an ADU or junior ADU, and handles design coordination, permits and construction under one contract.
A garage was built to hold cars, not people. Converting one means leveling or insulating the floor, framing new walls and windows, adding egress, and running water, sewer and power that meet code. We scope all of it before you sign so the budget covers the real work.
Local Knowledge
Converting a Garage in Burbank: Parking and Permits
Burbank's parking standards say that where an existing garage doesn't meet current minimums, the parking area it does provide can't be reduced or encroached upon. Turning a garage into a family room or studio that isn't a dwelling unit runs directly into that rule. Converting it into an ADU is different: state law says a garage converted to an ADU does not require replacement parking, and the city's ADU ordinance governs the project instead.
Ordinance 23-4,002 also covers junior ADUs, which can be built inside an attached garage as long as the unit stays at or under 500 square feet, includes at least an efficiency kitchen, and the owner lives in either the main house or the JADU. For Burbank homes with an attached garage, that can be the lighter option.
Garages on Burbank's 1920s through post-war lots were built to the standards of their day, so the existing slab, footings and framing need an honest assessment before design. In the Mountain Fire Zone along the foothills, new windows, vents and eaves on the converted structure follow the city's ignition-resistant construction requirements.
What's Included
What a Burbank Garage Conversion Includes
- Review of the garage's slab, footings and framing to decide what can stay and what must be rebuilt
- Choosing the right path: full ADU, junior ADU inside an attached garage, or another permitted use
- Permit drawings and submittal under Burbank's ADU ordinance and the building code
- Garage door infill, new windows, egress openings and a code-compliant entrance
- Insulation, drywall and Title 24 energy compliance for the newly conditioned space
- New plumbing, sewer connection, electrical panel capacity review, and kitchen and bath installation
For the full scope, process and options, see our main garage conversions page, or browse everything we build on our Burbank service area page.
Planning Considerations
Burbank Garage Conversion Questions to Settle Early
ADU, JADU or bonus room
The label on the permit drives everything else. An ADU conversion avoids replacement parking under state law and can be rented long term. A JADU inside an attached garage stays tied to the main house and carries an owner-occupancy requirement. A room that isn't a dwelling unit faces Burbank's rule against reducing existing garage parking. We lay out these trade-offs for your lot before design starts.
Keeping or replacing the slab
An older garage slab may lack a vapor barrier and usually sits lower than the house floor. Some slabs can stay under a new raised subfloor with proper moisture control, while others need replacement to meet plumbing and energy requirements. When the answer isn't obvious, we open a small test area so the decision rests on what is actually under the concrete.
Why Choose Us
Why Burbank 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 Burbank 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 Burbank 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 Burbank 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 Burbank
Other Services in Burbank
FAQ
Garage Conversions in Burbank: Common Questions
Do I have to replace parking if I convert my garage in Burbank?
If the garage becomes a legal ADU, no. State law says a garage converted into an ADU does not require replacement parking. If the space becomes a room that isn't a dwelling unit, Burbank's parking standards generally prevent reducing the existing garage parking area, which is why most conversions here are permitted as ADUs.
Can a converted garage be rented?
A garage converted into an ADU can be rented as a long-term unit. The city does not allow ADUs or junior ADUs to be used for short-term stays, and a JADU also carries an owner-occupancy requirement. We plan the entrance, address and utility setup around how you intend to use the space.
How do I know whether my garage can be converted?
We start with a site visit to look at the slab, framing, roof, setbacks and how water, sewer and power will reach the space. We also review the lot's zoning and fire zone status. After that, we can tell you whether conversion makes sense or whether a new detached ADU would be the better investment for your property.
Start Your Project
Planning a Garage Conversion in Burbank?
Tell us about your property and goals. We will walk the site, flag anything the City of Burbank will care about, and give you a written, line-item estimate.
Licensed California General Contractor · CSLB [CSLB LICENSE # PLACEHOLDER]