Field notes / Homeowner guide
Prepare for an ADU feasibility conversation
An ADU idea becomes more useful when the first meeting starts with a property, not a generic floor plan.
Written · KB Remodeling
In brief
Bring parcel information, existing plans and questions about access, utilities and the local reviewing authority.
01
Choose a starting type, not a promise
Detached, attached and conversion ideas place different demands on the site. A junior ADU has a distinct regulatory definition; do not assume it is interchangeable with a detached unit. Sketch why each option appeals to you and what you want to preserve outside.
California HCD provides statewide ADU guidance, but local review and the property's conditions still matter. Treat a conceptual drawing as a question to test, not an approval.
Ask yourself
- What existing space could change?
- Which outdoor area needs to remain useful?
02
Walk the property for constraints
Note how materials and people would reach the work area. Identify visible utility locations, drainage paths, large trees, grade changes and any existing structures. Do not infer underground utility locations from what you can see.
Collect available surveys, previous permits and plans. If you do not have them, note the gap rather than relying on approximate dimensions.
Ask yourself
- Where could an independent entrance work?
- Which measurements are verified, and which are guesses?
03
Find the correct reviewer
The city or county with jurisdiction over the address reviews the proposal. A Los Angeles mailing address does not by itself identify the permitting authority. Use the local planning and building portals for your exact parcel.
Ask which topics need separate answers: zoning, building plans, utility capacity, fire access or coastal review where applicable. Requirements depend on the parcel and design.
Ask yourself
- Which agency has jurisdiction over the parcel?
- What needs formal review before design advances?
04
Leave with a decision map
A useful feasibility conversation identifies what can be assessed immediately, what requires records or specialists and what must be confirmed by the agency. Record who will obtain each answer.
Compare options by access, privacy, work affecting the main house and unresolved conditions—not by a universal claim of fastest or cheapest.
Ask yourself
- Which option has the fewest unresolved assumptions?
- What evidence will support the next decision?
A scenario to consider
A garage looks convenient until an access sketch shows the only clear construction route crosses a garden the homeowner wants to keep. The next step is to compare alternatives, not assume the garage wins.
Planning scenario
Bring this to your conversation
- Find parcel details and any existing plans
- Photograph access routes and existing structures
- Mark visible utilities and unknown connections
- List main-house and outdoor-space priorities
- Confirm the address's reviewing authority
One more question
How do I know if my lot can take an ADU?
Ask the agency that reviews your address which ADU rules apply, then check setbacks, access, existing structures, easements and utility capacity on your specific lot.
Where are California's ADU rules explained?
The California Department of Housing and Community Development publishes an ADU Handbook summarizing state ADU law; local ordinances add standards within those limits.
Can a generic ADU plan confirm feasibility?
No. A plan can start a discussion, but parcel conditions, utilities and local review must be checked for the specific proposal.
Official references
- California Department of Housing and Community Development — Accessory dwelling units
- California Department of Housing and Community Development — ADU handbook
For requirements specific to your property, consult the local reviewing authority.