Garage Conversion ADU Plans
without the guesswork.
Complete, permit-ready plans to convert your garage into an ADU — one car or three — transparently priced and backed by our permit-approval guarantee.
Three approaches, one goal.
Every garage is different. Choose the approach that fits your existing structure, or start with a quick eligibility check and we'll recommend the best path.
Straight Garage Conversion
320–440 sqft · Studio / 1 Bath
Convert your existing garage footprint as-is. No structural additions — just a full interior build-out with kitchen, bath, flooring, and finishes. The fastest and most affordable option.
Conversion + Small Addition
400–500 sqft · Studio or 1 Bed / 1 Bath
Extend beyond the original garage footprint to add a bedroom, a larger kitchen, or a more open floor plan. Requires a small foundation pour for the addition.
3-Car Garage Conversion
600+ sqft · 1 Bed / 1 Bath
A large garage gives you room for a full one-bedroom home with a spacious kitchen, living area, and separate bedroom. The most square footage at the lowest cost per foot.
Most LA garages can become an ADU — but not all.
California law makes a garage conversion one of the easiest ADUs to permit, and your city can't make you replace the parking you give up. Still, a few things decide whether your garage is ready. Here's the short checklist we run on every Los Angeles property.
Check If My Garage Qualifies15 minutes · No obligation
- Existing legal structure. The garage is permitted and structurally sound — or close enough that repair is worthwhile.
- Ceiling height. Enough headroom to clear the 7-foot minimum after a new floor and insulation.
- Setbacks. Converting within the existing footprint keeps your current setbacks — no new-construction setback math.
- Utilities. Reasonable access to water, sewer, and electrical, usually a short run from the main house.
- Fire separation. Attached garages need proper separation from the main home; we design it in.
- Lot eligibility. Zoning that permits an ADU — which covers the vast majority of LA single-family and multifamily lots.
From garages to homes.
Burbank Garage Conversion ADU
Studio, 1 Bath · 400 sqft
Burbank, CA
Spanish Garage Conversion
1 Bed, 1 Bath · 470 sqft
Jefferson Park, Los Angeles, CA
Santa Monica Garage + Office
1 Bed, 1 Bath · 468 sqft
Sunset Park, Santa Monica, CA
West LA Garage Conversion
Studio, 1 Bath · 400 sqft
West Los Angeles, CA
Manhattan Beach Garage Conversion
Studio, 1 Bath · 360 sqft
Liberty Village, Manhattan Beach, CA
Pasadena Farmhouse Conversion
1 Bed, 1 Bath · 600 sqft
North Lake, Pasadena, CA
Three steps to a new home.
Feasibility & Eligibility Check
We assess your garage, verify zoning eligibility, review setbacks and utility access, and determine which conversion approach works best for your property. No cost, no commitment.
Design & Construction Documents
Our team designs your garage ADU — floor plan, elevations, structural engineering, Title 24 energy compliance, and permit-ready construction drawings. We specialize in ADU code and have processed 126 projects through LA County building departments.
Permitting & Construction
We handle the full permit process and, if you choose all-in project estimate, manage construction from demo to certificate of occupancy. Same crews, same project management, same quality standard as every CALI ADU project.
How much does a garage conversion ADU cost in Los Angeles?
A garage conversion is the lowest-cost way to add a permitted home in Los Angeles, because the expensive parts — foundation, walls, and roof — already exist. Most projects land between $150,000 and $185,000 all-in project estimate, depending on the size of the garage and how much you add to it. If you only need permit-ready plans, our garage conversion plans start at $7,490.
The biggest cost drivers are utility runs (how far water and sewer have to travel), whether you add square footage beyond the original footprint, foundation condition, and finish level. Detached or older garages can need more structural work; a clean attached garage near the main house is usually the most affordable path. Every CALI ADU estimate is detailed in writing before construction starts — no allowances that balloon mid-build.
Want to compare a conversion against building new, or see the rental math? Run the numbers in our ADU cost calculator and ROI calculator.
What our clients are saying.
"We had a TERRIFIC experience with Charlie at CALI ADU. He was efficient, communicative and provided us with great blueprints for our garage conversion. Highly recommend working with him."
"I am so happy we chose CALI ADU to design and build our garage ADU. The consistent communication is so appreciated, and the outstanding quality of their work is exactly like the pictures."
"Charlie is professional, and he was always accessible when we had questions. He is adaptable and patient with changes. My wife and I highly recommend Charlie."
What Los Angeles allows.
Under California's statewide ADU law, cities must allow a garage conversion ADU on most single-family and multifamily lots, and they cannot require you to replace the parking you give up by converting the garage. That single rule is why garage conversions took off across Los Angeles. Converting existing space also lets you keep your current setbacks, so a garage that sits near the property line can usually stay right where it is.
We've processed 126 ADU projects through LA County and city building departments, including garage conversions in Burbank, Santa Monica, Pasadena, and Manhattan Beach. If your garage was built without permits, it can often still be converted and legalized as part of the ADU process — a situation we handle regularly.
Questions homeowners ask.
How much does a garage conversion ADU cost in Los Angeles?
Are garage conversions legal in California?
Does a garage conversion add value to my home?
Can I convert an unpermitted or detached garage?
Do I need an architect for a garage conversion?
Will I lose my driveway or parking?
Browse our Signature Home lineup.
If your project calls for a new detached structure rather than a garage conversion, our nine Signature Homes offer transparent pricing from $219K to $459K — single-story and two-story options.
Browse Signature HomesFind out if your garage qualifies.
Not every garage is eligible — zoning, setbacks, and utility access all matter. Find out where yours stands in 15 minutes — no obligation.
Architect-designed · Transparent pricing · Predictable schedule