ADU Builder in La Verne, CA: Permits, Fees and Costs

What local ADU ordinance governs La Verne?

The City of La Verne regulates ADUs and JADUs under La Verne Municipal Code Section 18.120, Accessory Dwelling Units, as named in the Accessory Dwelling Unit ADU Application Guide PDF on laverneca.gov. The same page states that La Verne is updating Title 18 of the La Verne Municipal Code in compliance with state law on ADU application timelines, appeals, and modified standards for junior ADUs, in line with Planning Commission Case Number 14-26ZA adopted by Resolution 1354 on March 11, 2026. California Government Code Section 66325(a) states that the state ADU approval article supersedes any conflicting local ordinance, so the City cannot impose rules that undercut state minimums on size, setback, parking, or approval timeline.

How long does state law give La Verne to decide a complete ADU application?

California Government Code Section 66317(a)(3) gives the permitting agency 60 days from the date it receives a complete ADU or JADU application to approve or deny the application, and states that if the local agency has not acted within 60 days the application is deemed approved. Section 66317(a)(2)(A) requires the agency to issue a written completeness determination within 15 business days. The La Verne Accessory Dwelling Unit ADU Application Guide PDF on laverneca.gov states that the City will make a written completeness determination within 30 calendar days of submission, which sits above the 15 business day state minimum, and Section 66317(a)(2)(A) controls where the local rule runs longer. La Verne processes ADU and JADU applications ministerially under LVMC 18.120, so the 60 day state clock governs the decision step once the application is accepted as complete.

What fees does La Verne charge for an ADU application?

The La Verne Accessory Dwelling Unit ADU Application Guide PDF on laverneca.gov states that the ADU review fee is $0.50 per square foot, that the Records Management fee is $55.00, and that the Environmental Determination fee is $25.00. These three fees are the La Verne-specific charges on an ADU entitlement filing, separate from Building and Safety fees that are collected later. The City accepts cash or check at the Planning Counter, and card transactions carry an additional percentage fee set at the time of payment.

What documents must be submitted with a La Verne ADU application?

The La Verne Accessory Dwelling Unit ADU Application Guide PDF on laverneca.gov requires a fully labeled and dimensioned site plan in digital PDF format, a fully labeled floor plan showing rooms and square footage, a colored elevation plan keyed to a materials legend, a utility site plan prepared to the specifications of La Verne City Water and Sewer and the Public Works Department, ownership verification such as a Deed of Trust or Title Report, the anticipated rental rate for the new unit (which may be marked free), and a photographic survey in jpeg or png format from various perspectives. A replacement housing plan is required only if the scope involves demolition of existing housing. All case files are digital, and hand drawn plan sets can be scanned as long as they remain legible in digital format.

What impact fees does La Verne charge on an ADU under 750 square feet?

La Verne City Council Resolution No. 26-23, adopted April 20, 2026, and published on laverneca.gov, establishes an Affordable Housing Linkage Development Impact Fee schedule for new residential construction in La Verne, and indexes the fee to the California Construction Cost Index on July 1 of each year to account for inflation in construction and acquisition costs. The Resolution sets different rates by construction type, with the full rate schedule published in the Affordable Housing Linkage and Affordable Housing In-Lieu Nexus Study dated February 6, 2026. California Government Code Section 66311.5(c)(1) bars the State, any special district, and any water corporation from imposing any impact fee upon the development of an ADU that has 750 square feet of interior livable space or less, and impact fees above that floor are charged proportionately in relation to the square footage of the primary dwelling unit. Confirm the specific fee total for the lot with the La Verne Planning Division before relying on a number.

How much does an ADU cost in La Verne?

L Square's configured model prices, published on the L Square cost guide page on lscontractor.com, start at $180,000 for the 600 square foot Model 600, run to $240,000 for the 800 square foot Model 800A and Model 800B, to $295,000 for the 1,000 square foot Model 1000A and Model 1000B, and to $354,000 for the 1,200 square foot Model 1200. The same model prices apply to Los Angeles County cities including La Verne. L Square holds California Contractors State License Board number 1095476.

Official La Verne ADU sources

• The City of La Verne Accessory Dwelling Unit ADU Application Guide PDF on laverneca.gov states that ADUs are governed by La Verne Municipal Code Section 18.120, Accessory Dwelling Units, requires a digital site plan, floor plan, colored elevation plan, utility site plan, ownership verification, anticipated rental rate, and photographic survey, and sets a $0.50 per square foot review fee, a $55.00 Records Management fee, and a $25.00 Environmental Determination fee. Official source
• The City of La Verne Planning Applications page on laverneca.gov lists the Accessory Dwelling Unit ADU Application Guide PDF as one of the development application guide, checklist, and fees forms, and lists 3660 D Street as the City Hall address. Official source
• La Verne Planning Commission Resolution No. 1354, adopted March 11, 2026, updates La Verne Municipal Code Section 18.120 with a 15 business day application completeness determination, a 60 business day appeal decision, and a 31 day minimum rental period for ADUs and JADUs. Official source
• La Verne City Council Resolution No. 26-23, adopted April 20, 2026, establishes an Affordable Housing Linkage Development Impact Fee schedule for new residential construction in La Verne and indexes the fee to the California Construction Cost Index on July 1 of each year, and adopts the Affordable Housing Linkage and Affordable Housing In-Lieu Nexus Study dated February 6, 2026. Official source
• California Government Code Section 66317(a)(3) requires a permitting agency to approve or deny a complete ADU or JADU application within 60 days from receipt, and states that if the local agency has not approved or denied the completed application within 60 days the application shall be deemed approved. Official source
• California Government Code Section 66314(d)(5) limits a detached ADU on a lot with an existing or proposed single-family dwelling to 1,200 square feet of floor area. Section 66314(d)(10) caps required parking at one space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less. Section 66314(d)(11) bars a local agency from requiring replacement parking when a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is converted to an ADU or demolished in connection with ADU construction. Official source
• California Government Code Section 66321(b)(2)(A) and (B) set statewide minimum floors of 850 square feet for a studio or one bedroom detached ADU and 1,000 square feet for a multi bedroom detached ADU that a local ordinance cannot undercut. Section 66321(b)(3) requires that any lot coverage, floor area ratio, open space, front setback, or minimum lot size standard permit an ADU with at least 800 square feet and four-foot side and rear setbacks. Official source
• California Government Code Section 66325(a) voids any local ordinance, policy, or regulation that conflicts with state ADU law. Official source
• California Government Code Section 66311.5(c)(1) bars the State, any special district, and any water corporation from imposing any impact fee upon the development of an ADU that has 750 square feet of interior livable space or less. Section 66311.5(b) treats an ADU as not a new residential use for purposes of calculating water and sewer connection fees, unless the ADU was constructed with a new single-family dwelling. Official source