ADU Program

WHAT IS AN ADU?

An attached or detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence on a fixed, permanent foundation. All ADUs shall be constructed with independent access separate from the main residence entrance. All ADUs shall have a living/sleeping area, a full kitchen; washer/dryer in-unit or access to a shared laundry room area; and a bathroom that includes a shower and/or bathtub.

ADU STANDARD PLANS and NEW PERMIT-READY ADU PLAN

ADU PROGRAM DESCRIPTION OF PLANS

The ADU Program is only applicable for parcels with an existing or proposed Single Family Dwelling. The ADU Program has three ADU Standard Plans and one Permit Ready ADU Plan. This section defines and shows you the (3) Standard ADU plans and the Permit Ready ADU plan. It shows the requirements for each of the plans and approvals required from other agencies. A step-by-step guide is also provided that will guide you through this process. 

 

What is an ADU Standard Plan?

These Garage Conversion ADU Standard Plans are “Plan Sets” created by city-selected designers to help homeowners convert their garage into an ADU. While every garage is different, these Standard Plans provide a baseline for the most common garage sizes in South Gate. City staff reviewed plans to ensure the “standard” plan complies with City requirements. You will still need additional design support to customize the Standard Plans for your personal ADU project, but by using these plans, you can save time and costs.

SINGLE CAR GARAGE CONVERSION + ADDITION (OPTION A)

  Standard Plan A

Download Standard Plan Option A

Single Car Garage Conversion plus Addition(PDF, 884KB)

The Garage Conversion ADU Standard Plans streamline the design process for garage conversion ADUs, but homeowners still need to hire an architect or drafter to complete the plans and follow the full permitting process.

Plan Sets Include:

✓ Architectural Plans

Applicants Provide:

❒ Site Plan

❒ Structural Plans & Calculations (Calculations are only required if needed)

❒ Title-24 

❒ Plumbing Schematics (if sharing utilities with main dwelling) 

❒ Electrical Load Calcs (if electrical panel is being shared with main dwelling)

 

2-CAR GARAGE CONVERSION (OPTION B)

2-CAR GARAGE CONVERSION 3D+FLOOR PLAN

Download Standard Plan Option B

2-CAR GARAGE CONVERSION.pdf(PDF, 894KB)

The Garage Conversion ADU Standard Plans streamline the design process for garage conversion ADUs, but homeowners still need to hire an architect or drafter to complete the plans and follow the full permitting process.

Plan Sets Include:

✓ Architectural Plans

Applicants Provide:

❒ Site Plan

❒Structural Plans & Calculations (Calculations are only required if needed)

❒ Title-24 

❒ Plumbing Schematics (if sharing utilities with main dwelling) 

❒ Electrical Load Calculations (if electrical panel is shared with main dwelling)

2-CAR GARAGE CONVERSION + ADDITION (OPTION C)

2-CAR GARAGE +ADDITION 3-D & FLOOR PLAN.png

Download Standard Plan Option C

2-CAR GARAGE CONVERSION + ADDITION(PDF, 945KB)

The Garage Conversion ADU Standard Plans streamline the design process for garage conversion ADUs, but homeowners still need to hire an architect or drafter to complete the plans and follow the full permitting process.

Plan Sets Include:

✓ Architectural Plans

Applicants Provide:

❒ Site Plan

❒Structural Plans & Calculations (Calculations are required only if needed)

❒ Title-24

❒ Plumbing Schematics (if sharing water meter with main dwelling) 

❒ Electrical Load Calcs (if sharing electrical panel with main dwelling)

 

OTHER AGENCIES (REQUIRED APPROVALS)

  1. Must obtain LA COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT approval
  2. Must obtain proof of notification to AQMD (applies to Standard Plans Option A & Option B only) 
  3. Must obtain Southern California Edison approval and meter spot
  4. Standard plan option C requires SCHOOL DISTRICT FEES to be paid.
    • Building & Safety will provide the application when the plans are approved.

OTHER REQUIRED AGENCIES GUIDE

Other Required Agencies Guide.pdf(PDF, 144KB)

 

NEW ADU PERMIT READY PLAN

What is a New ADU Permit Ready plan?

A Permit Ready Plan is a “Plan Set” created by city selected designers and have been vetted by the Building and Planning division for expedited permit approval. By using this plan homeowners can save time and costs typically spent on developing a custom design. Homeowners will also save time on permitting because the Plan Set has been reviewed and approved for general code requirements.

NEW ADU PERMIT READY PLANS

NEW CONSTRUCTION PRE-APPROVED ADU.jpeg

Download New Construction Permit-Ready ADU Plans

Plan Sets include...

✓ Architectural Plans

✓ Structural Plans & Calculations

Applicants provide...

❒ Site Plan

❒ Title-24 Calculations

❒ Solar Panel Design

❒ Plumbing Schematics (if utilities are shared)

❒ Electrical Load Calcs (if utilities are shared)

❒ Sprinkler System Design (if main dwelling has sprinklers)

 

 

 

OTHER AGENCIES (REQUIRED APPROVALS)

 

  1. Must obtain LA COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT approval
  2. Must obtain proof of notification to AQMD (applies to Standard Plans Option A & Option B only) 
  3. Must obtain Southern California Edison approval and meter spot
  4. Standard plan option C requires SCHOOL DISTRICT FEES to be paid.
    • Building & Safety will provide the application when the plans are approved.
  5. Must have a Construction & Demolition Debris Waste Reduction & Recycling Plan (WRRP)

    WRRP-Waste-Reduction-Recycling-Plan.doc(DOC, 64KB)

     

OTHER REQUIRED AGENCIES GUIDE

Other Required Agencies Guide.pdf(PDF, 144KB) 

HOW TO APPLY

STEP BY STEP

STEP 1:  

STEP 2:

  • Choose a Standard or Permit Ready ADU plan and gather the additional requirements:
    • See tabs above the Standard and Permit Ready ADU plans

    • See "Applicants Provide" section of the plans that you chose.

STEP 3:   

  • Submit your application and plans to the Planning Department via email at ADU@sogate.org  

STEP 4:

  • Your application will be reviewed. Plan check review will be conducted by the Planning Department and the Building & Safety Department. The turnaround time will be within 2 weeks from the Planning Dept. Once approved by the Planning Dept, Building & Safety Department turnaround time is within 2 weeks. 

 STEP 5:

  • Depending on the standard plan that you chose you will need approval from other agencies before we can issue the permit. See “other agency” requirements tab on the website, under the standard or pre-approved plan that you chose.

STEP 6: 

  • Once plan check reviews have been approved and the necessary requirements have been provided, the Building Permit will then be issued to the contractor or owner/builder. The construction can begin, and inspections can be scheduled. Once all inspections have been approved, the new dwelling may be occupied.

 

APPLICATION