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ADU builder in Laguna Beach, CA
Laguna Beach has some of the most carefully reviewed ADUs in California: almost the whole city is in the Coastal Zone, many lots are on hillsides, and design matters. We design to stay within the city’s ministerial thresholds wherever possible.
Coastal Orange County
Building an ADU in Laguna Beach.
What’s different about adding an ADU here, and how we plan around it.
Stay under the design-review thresholds
Laguna Beach requires design review for ADUs taller than 16 ft. ADUs taller than 12 ft that are visible from a street or alley must use materials, colors and roof design similar to the main house. Designing within these limits keeps approval simpler.
Coastal permits can be contested
ADUs are regulated by state law, the city code and Laguna’s certified Local Coastal Program. Coastal development permits have been disputed here, so careful siting, modest heights and good documentation matter.
Rules are being updated
The city has been amending its ADU ordinance to reflect the state laws that took effect in January 2025. We design to the current rules and track changes for you.
Plans that fit
Floor plans that work within Laguna Beach’s rules.
These ready-to-build plans fit Laguna Beach’s size, height limits. Our studio can adjust any of them to your lot.
Plan 400A
Studio · 1 Bath · 400 ft²
Plan 500B
1 Bed · 1 Bath · 500 ft²
Plan 700
1 Bed · 1 Bath · 700 ft²
Plan 780
2 Bed · 1 Bath · 780 ft²
Plan 832
2 Bed · 1 Bath · 832 ft²
Plan 1000
3 Bed · 2 Bath · 1,000 ft²
How we work in Laguna Beach
One team from first visit to move-in.
01
Free ADU analysis
We review your Laguna Beach lot, what the local rules allow and which plans fit, with an estimated cost.
02
Design
Our in-house studio prepares construction-ready plans in about 1–2 months.
03
Permits
We submit to the City of Laguna Beach and handle every round of plan check.
04
Fixed-price build
Construction in about 4–5 months, managed by one project manager from our Long Beach office.
Laguna Beach ADU questions
Common questions in Laguna Beach.
How big can an ADU be in Laguna Beach?
Detached ADUs can be up to 850 sq ft with one bedroom, or 1,000 sq ft with two. Converting existing space, such as a garage, has no maximum size.
Does an ADU in Laguna Beach need design review?
Not if it stays within the city’s standards. ADUs taller than 16 ft require design review, and visible ADUs taller than 12 ft must be similar in materials and roof design to the main house.
Do I need a coastal development permit for an ADU in Laguna Beach?
Often. Laguna Beach applies its Local Coastal Program to ADUs, and attached ADUs that may affect public coastal views can require administrative design review of a coastal development permit.
Nearby
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Planning an ADU in Laguna Beach?
Tell us about your Laguna Beach property and we’ll prepare a free ADU analysis: what fits on your lot, the rules that apply, recommended plans, estimated cost and timeline.
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Serving homeowners throughout Los Angeles and Orange County.