ADU Feasibility, $7,500 in 2.5 Weeks

Two and a half weeks of ADU feasibility for LA-basin homeowners. Three options drawn at schematic-design resolution: detached, attached, and junior. Jurisdictional matrix included for LADBS, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and the Coastal Commission. Fixed fee. No hourly surprises.

What you get for $7,500

Five deliverables. One fixed fee. Two and a half weeks.

• Lot and existing-conditions audit. Setbacks, lot coverage, FAR math, existing-driveway analysis, slope and easement reads, recorded encumbrances. Where the ADU can go before we draw it.
• Three-option SD pack. Detached, attached, and junior ADU schemes drawn at schematic-design resolution: plans, sections, key dimensions, basic massing. You see all three options side by side and decide which one to pursue.
• Jurisdictional matrix. LADBS, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Coastal Commission pathways for your specific lot, with the by-right versus discretionary review distinction called out per option.
• Rough-order-of-magnitude (ROM) cost study. Each option costed at three tiers. Numbers come from completed projects in your jurisdiction, not catalog cost data.
• Permit-path memo and timeline. Per option: permit type, AHJ timing window, typical conditions of approval, sequencing for utility connections and Title 24. So you know which option is buildable in nine months and which is a two-year project.

Three options: detached, attached, junior

Every LA-basin ADU feasibility answers one question first: which ADU type fits your lot, your goals, and your jurisdiction’s review path?

Detached ADU

Up to 1,200 sf, independent structure, separate utilities possible. Best for lots with rear-yard space and clean setback compliance. Highest rental value at resale; highest construction cost.

Attached ADU

Up to 50% of the primary dwelling area or 1,200 sf, whichever is smaller. Best for narrow lots where rear-yard space is limited but the primary dwelling has unused side or rear elevation. Shared utility infrastructure reduces construction cost.

Junior ADU

Up to 500 sf, carved from existing primary dwelling, no separate utility services required. Best for fast-track approvals and lowest construction cost. Most restrictive on layout and rental flexibility.

Jurisdictional reads we run by default

LA-basin ADU feasibility runs through different review surfaces depending on jurisdiction. We hold standing reads on:

• LADBS (City of Los Angeles): LAMC §12.22-A.33, over-the-counter eligibility for compliant designs, the discretionary review triggers, the hillside ADU specific pathway.
• Santa Monica: SMMC accessory dwelling unit regulations, coastal zone overlay where applicable, the historic resource overlay where applicable.
• Beverly Hills: Beverly Hills Municipal Code accessory dwelling ordinance, R-1 lot-specific overlays, the architectural commission review window where applicable.
• Coastal Commission: Coastal Development Permit versus Waiver eligibility for Pacific Palisades and Malibu lots, appealable area mapping.
• Hillside: LAMC §12.21-A.17 (Hillside Ordinance), grading and slope-stability constraints, the hillside ADU coordination requirements.

Process, two and a half weeks

Days 1 to 5: lot read and existing-conditions audit

Site visit, survey review, setback and FAR math, slope and easement read. End of week one, you have a measured base plan with the constraints called out and three viable ADU placements identified.

Days 6 to 12: three-option SD draft

Detached, attached, and junior schemes drawn at SD-level resolution. Each scheme tested against the jurisdictional matrix. End of week two, you see all three options side by side and know which jurisdictional review applies to each.

Days 13 to 18: cost, permit path, deliverable

ROM cost study per option. Permit-path memo per option. Final deliverable presentation, in person or video, with the memo package emailed before the meeting so you read it on your own time.

Eligibility checklist

This study is for you if any of these apply:

• You own a property in the LA basin and are considering an ADU but don’t know which type fits your lot.
• You’re comparing two candidate properties and need to know which one supports the ADU goal before you close.
• Your lot is on a slope and you’ve heard “hillside ordinance” mentioned but don’t know what it means for your ADU.
• You’re in the Coastal Zone (Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Venice) and want to know whether a Coastal Development Permit or Waiver applies to your ADU before you commit.
• You’re refinancing or planning a sale and want a feasibility-backed valuation lift quantified.
• You’ve already received conflicting cost estimates from contractors and want an independent ROM read.

This study is not for you if you want full construction documents in two and a half weeks, want a yes-or-no answer without the engineering reads, or are looking for the cheapest contractor-led design-build path.

Frequently asked questions

What does the $7,500 fee include?

Two and a half weeks of feasibility work covering lot and existing-conditions audit, three-option SD pack (detached, attached, junior), jurisdictional matrix, ROM cost study at three tiers per option, and a permit-path memo. The fee is fixed; no hourly surprises and no scope add-ons mid-engagement.

Do you handle the full design after feasibility?

Either path is available. Roughly 70 percent of clients convert to a full design engagement after feasibility delivers; the other 30 percent take the package to a contractor or another designer. The numbers are written so the next designer or contractor can pick up cleanly.

What jurisdictions do you work in?

LADBS, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Culver City, Pacific Palisades and Malibu (Coastal Commission), and unincorporated Los Angeles County. Outside the basin we will refer you to a local equivalent.

My lot is on a slope. Does that automatically disqualify an ADU?

No. Hillside lots have additional review surfaces (LAMC §12.21-A.17, grading and slope-stability constraints) but ADU pathways exist in hillside zones. The feasibility study reads your specific slope, setback math, and access constraints against the hillside ADU pathway and tells you whether your lot is in scope.

How is this different from a free consultation with a design-build firm?

A free consultation is a sales meeting. The deliverable is a proposal, not a study. This is the inverse: a paid study with five tangible deliverables. The proposal can come later if you want it, but the study stands on its own and you own it whether or not we continue together.

Ready to start?

The feasibility study is fixed-fee, two and a half weeks, and the calendar typically fills two to three weeks in advance. Schedule An Appointment to discuss your lot and ADU goals.

---

Melchior&King Studio

Written and reviewed by Melchior Peter, Architectural Designer. Owned and managed a Beverly Hills clinical practice for fifteen years as the business owner. European-trained, independent design practice continuous since 1996.

Architectural design services by Kingdom Holdings Corp dba Melchior&King and Melchior Peter Architecture. Stamp-required architectural services coordinated through our retained Architect of Record.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-14.