Second-Story Additions · Burbank
Second-Story Additions in Burbank, CA
Engineered second stories for Burbank homes, from flat-lot ranch houses to foothill properties where the Hillside Development Permit and neighbors' views shape the design.
- Licensed California general contractor
- Permits with the City of Burbank
- Written, line-item estimates
- Design, engineering & construction
Burbank, CA
Second-Story Additions for Burbank Homeowners
Second-story additions in Burbank add the most living space for the least yard, but they ask more of the existing house than any other project. Simply Construction manages the engineering, city approvals and construction under one contract, including the stretch when your family may need to live elsewhere while the roof is off.
Going up changes how the house carries weight, how it looks from the street and, in the foothills, what neighbors see from their windows. We address each of those before construction drawings are finished.
Local Knowledge
Adding a Second Story in Burbank
The second floor counts toward Burbank's 0.4 floor area ratio just as the first does, so a lot that is near its limit may not have room to go up at full size. The city's 2017 update to its single-family standards was written to control the mass and bulk of additions as well as new homes, and larger projects are measured against the Single Family Design Guidelines. An upper floor that steps back from the first-floor walls and keeps plate heights moderate tends to sit better with both the rules and the street.
In the Hillside District, any change that increases a structure's height requires a Hillside Development Permit. The permit exists to balance development against the views hillside residents have of Burbank and the surrounding communities, and applications have included view impact studies. Sites with any slope steeper than 20 percent also need soils and geological reports.
Structurally, the existing foundation has to carry a new floor and roof. One-story homes from Burbank's 1920s through post-war years were not designed with that load in mind, so an engineer checks the footings and lateral system, and the design often adds new footings and shear walls.
What's Included
What Our Burbank Second-Story Service Includes
- Feasibility check of remaining floor area, height limits and hillside permit requirements
- Structural engineering of existing footings, new foundations, shear walls and hold-downs
- Hillside Development Permit package for foothill homes, with sightline studies for neighbors' views
- Stair placement planning that preserves the best rooms on the existing ground floor
- Temporary weather protection while the roof is open
- Framing, roofing, new HVAC and electrical distribution, insulation, finishes and final inspection
For the full scope, process and options, see our main second-story additions page, or browse everything we build on our Burbank service area page.
Planning Considerations
Second-Story Trade-Offs in Burbank
Where the stair goes
Every second story needs a stair, and on a single-story house it usually takes space from a bedroom, hall or living room. Its placement decides whether the ground floor still works. We test stair locations early, often near the existing hallway, so the new floor connects naturally and the downstairs doesn't lose its best room.
Living through construction
With the roof opened and the structure reinforced, most families move out for part of the project. We sequence the work to keep that period as short as the engineering allows, protect the interior from weather, and give you a clear schedule once permits are issued, so you can arrange temporary housing and storage without guessing.
Foothill neighbors and fire construction
On foothill lots, the added height is what neighbors notice first. We study sightlines early and shape the roof and massing to limit view impacts before the Hillside Development Permit application goes in. Many of those lots are also in the Mountain Fire Zone, so new walls, eaves and soffits are built to Burbank's ignition-resistant construction requirements.
Why Choose Us
Why Burbank 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.
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
Second-Story Additions in Burbank: Common Questions
Do I need a hillside permit for a second story in Burbank?
If your home is in the city's hillside area, yes. Burbank requires a Hillside Development Permit for modifications that increase a structure's height or square footage, and the review considers views from neighboring properties and how the design fits the topography. In flat neighborhoods, a second story goes through standard zoning review and plan check instead.
Can my existing foundation support a second story?
Sometimes, but it has to be proven. A structural engineer reviews the existing footings, soil conditions and framing, then designs any new footings, shear walls and connections. Older one-story homes often need foundation work before they can carry an upper floor. We include that engineering in the first phase so the budget reflects it.
Does a second story count against my floor area limit?
Yes. The 0.4 floor area ratio counts every floor, and interior ceilings or plates above 12 feet count twice. If your house already uses most of its allowance, a smaller second story, or a mix of upstairs and ground-floor space, may fit better. We run the numbers before design begins.
Start Your Project
Planning a Second Story 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]