Second-Story Additions · Glendale
Second-Story Additions in Glendale, CA
Engineered second stories for Glendale homes, shaped to pass design review, respect neighbors' views and privacy, and rest on a foundation built for the added load.
- Licensed California general contractor
- Permits with the City of Glendale
- Written, line-item estimates
- Design, engineering & construction
Glendale, CA
Second-Story Additions for Glendale Homeowners
Second-story additions in Glendale draw more attention than any other residential project, because they change the skyline of a street and what neighbors see from their yards. Simply Construction plans the massing, engineering and approvals together, and we manage construction under one contract from the first site visit to final inspection.
A well-designed upper floor can double a home's space without giving up the yard. Getting there takes careful design, clear drawings and a structure that can carry the new load.
Local Knowledge
How Second Stories Are Reviewed and Built in Glendale
Glendale's design review pays particular attention to second stories. Reviewers look at how the upper floor steps back from the street, how its roof relates to the existing house and neighbors, and whether windows look down into adjacent yards. On a block of one-story 1920s homes, an upper floor that sits back from the facade and keeps its roofline low stands a far better chance than a full box built straight up from the first-floor walls.
In the canyon and foothill neighborhoods, views are part of the conversation. Homes in Chevy Chase Canyon, Glenoaks Canyon and the Verdugo foothills often enjoy long outlooks, and a new upper floor can affect a neighbor's. We study sightlines and privacy early and shape the addition before it reaches review rather than after comments arrive.
Structurally, many older Glendale homes sit on raised foundations with short cripple walls, built long before current seismic standards. An engineer checks whether the footings can carry a second floor, and the Verdugo fault running along the base of the mountains makes that lateral design especially important.
What's Included
Scope of a Glendale Second-Story Project
- Massing studies that show the addition from the street and neighboring lots
- Design review submittal preparation and support during the city's review process
- Structural engineering for footings, shear walls, hold-downs and roof framing
- Seismic strengthening of the existing structure where the engineer requires it
- Stair design and the ground-floor changes needed to make room for it
- Weather protection, framing, roofing, systems, 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 Glendale service area page.
Planning Considerations
Second-Story Choices for Glendale Homes
Partial versus full second story
A second story doesn't have to cover the whole footprint. A partial upper floor over the rear of the house, or a primary suite tucked beneath a steeper roof, can deliver the space you need while keeping the street view modest. In Glendale that approach often makes design review easier, and it can reduce structural work on the existing foundation.
Privacy and window placement
Neighbors notice upstairs windows that look into their yards, especially on closely spaced lots. We place windows to capture light and views while limiting direct sightlines, using clerestory windows, obscure glass or careful orientation where needed. Addressing privacy in the design, before anyone raises it, is one of the most effective ways to keep review moving.
Stepped foundations on sloped lots
On a sloped Glendale lot, the existing house may already sit on a stepped foundation with tall cripple walls on the downhill side. A second floor increases the load on those walls, and the downhill side usually needs the most strengthening. The engineer designs for that condition, and we plan how concrete and steel will reach the low side of the house.
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.
Permits Handled With the City of Glendale
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 the City of Glendale, 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.
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 Glendale
Other Services in Glendale
FAQ
Second-Story Additions in Glendale: Common Questions
How does Glendale review second-story additions?
Second stories typically go through design review, where the city looks at massing, setbacks, roof forms, materials and privacy impacts on neighbors. The process may involve revisions before approval. We prepare drawings that show the addition in context with the street and adjacent homes, which helps reviewers evaluate it fairly.
Will my older foundation need work before going up?
An engineer has to answer that after inspecting the footings, crawlspace framing and soil. On many older homes, the answer involves new footings under key walls, plywood shear walls and steel hold-downs tying the frame to the foundation. We commission that review before design so the structural cost is known from the start.
Will a second story block my neighbor's view?
It can, especially on canyon and hillside lots. We study sightlines early and shape the roof, height and footprint to limit impacts where possible. Because the city's review considers neighborhood compatibility, dealing with views and privacy up front usually leads to a smoother approval.
Start Your Project
Planning a Second Story 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]