Eighth of 236: that is where Sunland-Tujunga lands for ADU permits since 2020. LADBS issued 864 here. The area is part of council district 7.
Trend
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permits | 81 | 112 | 119 | 143 | 147 | 166 | 96 |
The count rose every year from 81 in 2020 to 166 in 2025. The 2026 count of 96 is partial.
Type breakdown
| Type | Permits | Median size | Median declared valuation | Median per sq ft | Days to permit | Days permit to CofO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New detached or new construction | 183 | 800 sq ft | $120,000 | $116 | 246 | 379 |
| Garage or space conversion | 534 | 516 sq ft | $50,000 | $88 | 128 | 364 |
| JADU | 115 | 378 sq ft | $30,000 | $86 | 86 | 321 |
| All ADU permits | 864 | 563 sq ft | $60,000 | $100 | 148 | 362 |
Days are medians. By count, conversions are 62 percent, new units 21 percent and JADUs 13 percent.
What stands out
New detached units here take a median of 246 days to get a permit, the longest wait of any type, and noticeably more than the 213 days seen for new units citywide. Conversions take 128 days and JADUs 86. The time from permit to CofO is 362 days across all types, close to the city figure of 368.
Medians for size and declared valuation sit near the citywide figures: 563 square feet and $60,000, against 558 and $60,000. Per square foot, new units are declared at $116, conversions at $88 and JADUs at $86.
Since conversions make up most of the activity, owners with a garage should read the garage conversion comparison. Every permit above was processed by LADBS; the permit process guide shows the sequence from plan check to final inspection.
What has been completed
A CofO exists for 593 of the 864 Sunland-Tujunga permits, around 69 percent. JADUs have 81 completions out of 115. Recent permits are still in progress and are not part of the post-permit days.
Where the numbers come from
ADU permits were picked out using the permit's ADU flags and description text; supplemental permits are excluded. Valuation is the applicant-declared figure, not the complete project cost, because design, fees, utilities and finishes are often additional. Times are medians for permits that reached each step, from submission to issue and from issue to certificate of occupancy (CofO). 2026 is a partial year. LADBS Building Permits Issued 2020 to Present, data.lacity.org pi9x-tg5x (City of Los Angeles only), our analysis, November 2026.
Next steps
Work out a budget with the ADU cost guide, set expectations with how long an ADU takes, and before signing anything read how to check an ADU builder's CSLB license.
