License: No. #1076712
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Discover what you can build in the City of Van Nuys. This city guide covers essential ADU regulations and zoning laws to help you navigate the process and make informed decisions for your property.
You can build one ADU on single-family property in Van Nuys, as well as convert one existing space within the primary dwelling unit to a JADU.
You can build up to two ADUs on multifamily property in Van Nuys. You can also convert existing non-habitable spaces within the structure into additional ADUs, for a total number of ADUs not to exceed 25% of the number of existing non-ADU units.
In Van Nuys, a detached ADU can be a maximum of 1,200 square feet.
In Van Nuys, an attached ADU can be a maximum of 1,200 square feet or 50% of the primary dwelling unit size, whichever is smaller..
In Van Nuys, an ADU is usually limited in height to 16 feet. However, if the ADU is located within a half mile of public transit or on multifamily property, specific zoning rules may allow for a height of up to 18-25 feet..
Yes, you are allowed to build a 2-story ADU in Van Nuys, but the standard 16-foot height restriction is usually insufficient for a viable 2-story building. If zoning variances allow for a greater height limit, a 2-story ADU may be much more feasible.
Since only one ADU is allowed per single-family property in Van Nuys, it is not possible to get approval for two ADUs stacked on top of each other, one on each story. For multifamily property, which allows up to two detached ADUs, these ADUs can be stacked on top of each other, with one on each story, but height restrictions still apply. If you don’t qualify for an exception to the standard 16-foot height limit, it will be hard to design and permit a viable two-story structure.
Since only one ADU is allowed per single-family property in Van Nuys, it is not possible to get approval for two ADUs attached to each other. However, since you can build up to two detached ADUs on multifamily property, you can get approval for two ADUs detached from the main structure but attached to each other into one big structure as long as all other zoning and building rules are observed.
No, a JADU by definition is built into existing space within the primary dwelling unit. It would be a contradiction in terms to have a JADU attached to an ADU.
Yes, you are allowed to build an ADU with a roof deck in Van Nuys. However, keep in mind that the required safety railing will count towards the total height limit of the ADU. The minimum safety railing height on a roof deck in California is 42 inches.
Van Nuys requires that new ADUs generally conform to the external appearance of the main dwelling unit — color, material, roof pitch, roofline, door and window style, and other general characteristics to help the ADU blend in with the primary dwelling unit and the rest of the neighborhood.
Van Nuys requires 4-foot rear and side setbacks for new ADUs. ADUs built into existing structures are exempt from setback requirements.
ADUs in Van Nuys must maintain a minimum of 6 feet of separation from other structures.
No, ADUs cannot be permitted for the front yard in Van Nuys.
Van Nuys is located within the limits of the City of Los Angeles. As of this writing, the LA Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) requires in-person plan checks by appointment. You can use this link to schedule an appointment. The City of Los Angeles has historically not required in-person submission of plans for an ADU. LADBS has historically provided a web portal for online submission of plans and an ePlan review system that allows the upload of digital plans for preliminary review.
The City of Los Angeles may require a soils report if the property is located in an area prone to geological hazards — hillsides, liquefaction zones, areas prone to landslides. Requirements will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Depending on the specific zone, the City of Los Angeles may require between 20-40% of the lot to be maintained as open space — yards, landscaping, permeable surfaces.
Plans must be submitted to the Los Angeles Department of Building & Safety (LADBS). They must then be reviewed by a variety of departments to check for compliance with the California Building Code, zoning, fire safety, and Title 24 energy standards. The plans may be returned several times for questions, corrections, and revisions. The process takes approximately 6-8 weeks.
The City of Los Angeles requires that Van Nuys residential property include at least one extra parking space per ADU. However, the additional parking requirement may be waived if any of the following apply:
If a new parking space is required, it can be located in the rear or side yard, or in the driveway. Tandem parking is allowed, and the parking space does not need to be covered.
Per California state law, solar panels of appropriate size and capacity are mandatory on new-construction ADUs. ADUs built from converted existing structures are exempt. Smaller ADUs may be subject to reduced or modified solar panel requirements.
An ADU is not required to have a separate water or electrical meter. You can opt for the ADU to share service with the main dwelling unit. However, you can request separate water or electrical meters from the City of Los Angeles for your Van Nuys ADU.
An ADU in Van Nuys is usually assigned its own separate address by the City of Los Angeles, especially if the ADU is intended for rental or independent occupancy.
Low Impact Development (LID) is an approach to land development or redevelopment that seeks to preserve and conserve onsite water quality and natural features, with minimal detrimental effect to local waterways and ecosystems. The City of Los Angeles may require LID fees for larger Van Nuys ADUs.
ADUs permitted after January 1, 2017 can not be used as a short term rental (30 days or less) in the City of Los Angeles, including Van Nuys.
Van Nuys is subject to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) of the City of Los Angeles. Under these rules, any ADU built after January 1, 1978 is exempt from rent control. This means most new-build ADUs are exempt. However, if the primary dwelling unit is subject to rent control, it might apply to the ADU as well.
While encouraging the use of electric appliances for efficiency and sustainability, West Van Nuys does not prohibit gas appliances in new ADUs.
In Van Nuys you are only required to install sprinklers in a new ADU if the primary dwelling unit has them as well. You may also be required to install them if the ADU is located within a special fire hazard zone.