Building an ADU in La Habra
La Habra sits in the northernmost corner of Orange County, with a small-town feel that shows up in the bell-lined Boulevard of the Bells along La Habra Boulevard, the Children’s Museum in its 1923 train depot, and the annual Corn Festival at El Centro-Lions Park. If you own a home here, an ADU can be a practical way to house family, earn rental income, or add flexible space without leaving the community you know. Lamarc Prime Builders designs and builds detached ADUs, attached additions, and garage conversions for La Habra homeowners. We plan around the city’s rules on roof style, street-facing design features, separation from other buildings, and Edison (SCE) easements, and we manage your project from the first design sketch through final inspection.
ADU Services Available in La Habra, CA
Our La Habra ADU services are built around a clear design-build process—from early feasibility through permits and the final build. We focus on keeping the project organized while helping you navigate local requirements with less stress and fewer surprises.
✅ Detached & Attached ADUs
✅ Garage Conversion ADUs
✅ Junior ADUs (JADUs)
✅ ADU Planning & Design Coordination
✅ Permits, Plan Submittals & City Revisions
✅ Construction, Inspections & Final Completion
If you’re unsure which ADU type fits best, a free site evaluation is the fastest way to confirm your options.
ADU Rules in La Habra
ADUs allowed per lot
1 ADU + 1 JADU on a single-family lot
Max detached ADU size
Up to 1,200 sq ft
Max attached ADU size
850 sq ft (studio or 1 bedroom); 1,000 sq ft (2+ bedrooms); max 50% of the main home
Max JADU size
Up to 500 sq ft
Max height (detached)
Follows your zone's height limit for the main home (16 ft for detached ADUs on multifamily lots)
Two-story ADU
Allowed within your zone's height limit; we check your lot
Setbacks
4 ft side and rear; front per your zone (waived to fit an 800 sq ft unit)
Space between buildings
10 ft from other buildings on the lot
Parking
1 space (none for a studio; tandem allowed); none near transit, for conversions, or in historic districts
Owner occupancy
Not required for an ADU; JADU requires the owner to live on site
Short-term rental (Airbnb)
31-day minimum; no Airbnb
Impact fees
None under 750 sq ft; larger ADUs pay proportionally
Pre-approved plans
Accepts County of San Diego pre-approved plans (no modifications)
Permit review
Building & Safety plan check; Planning reviews inside it, no separate application
Approval timeline
60 days (30 days with a pre-approved or identical plan)
Local insight
La Habra requires the ADU to use the same roof style as your main house and to include at least three design features on street-facing walls. If an Edison (SCE) easement may affect your property, the city asks for a preliminary title report before review.
How ADU Permitting Works in La Habra
La Habra handles all ADU intake through Building & Safety. Your plans are routed to Building, Planning, Engineering, and Public Works, and the permit is approved only after every department signs off, with no separate planning application. The city also accepts County of San Diego pre-approved plans, which can’t be modified, while custom plans go through standard review. If an Edison (SCE) easement may affect your property, the city asks for a preliminary title report before review.
Property feasibility review
Review zoning, lot conditions, access, utilities, and applicable ADU requirements.
ADU design and preparation
Prepare the site plan, architectural drawings, engineering, and required supporting documents.
City plan review and approvals
Submit the application, coordinate with city departments, and respond to plan-check corrections.
Permit issuance and construction
After approval and permit issuance, proceed with construction and required inspections.
FAQs About ADUs in La Habra
Can I use pre-approved plans in La Habra?
Yes. The city accepts the County of San Diego’s pre-approved ADU plans, which can’t be modified. You still need extra documents such as Title 24, CalGreen, and roof truss calculations. We can check whether one fits your lot.
Can I use custom ADU plans instead of pre-approved plans in La Habra?
Yes. Custom plans go through standard review at Building & Safety, where Planning reviews them as part of plan check. Custom design also lets us meet La Habra’s roof style and street-facing design feature requirements.
What documents are required to submit an ADU permit application in La Habra?
Plans are submitted to Building & Safety with a plan check fee, and incomplete applications must be resubmitted. If an Edison (SCE) easement may affect your property, the city asks for a preliminary title report, and an SCE encroachment agreement may be needed. Pre-approved plans also need Title 24, CalGreen, and roof truss calculations plus details like your climate zone and stormwater measures.
Can I convert an existing garage into an ADU in La Habra?
Yes. Conversions of existing structures need no added setback, and no replacement parking is needed when a garage or carport is converted or demolished. If you’re replacing a detached garage, the demolition permit is reviewed and issued with the ADU permit.
How can Lamarc Prime Builders help with ADU design, permitting, and construction in La Habra?
We handle the whole project in one place. We start with a feasibility review of your lot, prepare the design, drawings, and engineering, submit to La Habra’s Building & Safety Division and respond to plan-check corrections, and then build your ADU through final inspections.
