How United Build Partners helps Lakewood homeowners
We're an ADU advisory and contractor-matching service, not the construction company. We start with a free review of your property and goals, help you understand what Lakewood's zoning and lot rules mean for your specific property, and — if it's a good fit — introduce you to up to three contractors in our network. You compare their proposals and decide who to work with; the contractor you choose handles the actual design and construction.
ADU rules and permitting in Lakewood
Lakewood's ADU rules sit on top of the same statewide framework every California city follows — ministerial approval, no hearings, and a 60-day review clock (see our California ADU laws guide for the full picture). Lakewood's own zoning code adds specific size, height, and setback standards on top of that baseline.
What's specific to Lakewood
- Size range: a standard ADU can generally run 150 to 1,200 square feet. If it's attached to the main house, it's capped at either 50% of the existing home's floor area or 850 square feet, whichever applies. A Junior ADU is limited to 150–500 square feet.
- Height and setbacks: a detached ADU is generally limited to 16 feet in height, must sit at least 4 feet from side and rear property lines, and must follow the front-yard setback for its zone. If detached, it also needs to be at least 4 feet from the main house.
- Multi-family lots: properties with an existing multi-family building can add up to two detached ADUs, and non-habitable space (like storage areas) in an existing multi-family complex can potentially be converted to additional units, up to 25% of the number of permitted dwellings on site.
- Application packet: Lakewood's process is paper-based — three copies of architectural plans (plot plan, roof plan, floor plan, elevations), three copies of color exterior photos of every structure on the property, and one application form.
Property and lot considerations
Because Lakewood was largely built out in a short window in the early 1950s as a single master-planned development, lot sizes and setbacks tend to be more uniform across the city than in an older, more organically-developed city — though the exact dimensions and what your parcel can support still depend on your specific address and zone. Many original homes here came with an attached garage, which is a big part of why garage conversions come up so often in Lakewood ADU conversations. Newer additions, patios, or room additions on your lot can also affect what's left to work with.
Common ADU types for Lakewood homeowners
Given how many Lakewood homes have an existing attached garage, a garage conversion is often the fastest, lowest-disruption path for homeowners here — you're converting a structure that already exists rather than building from scratch. On lots with more depth in the backyard, a detached ADU can make sense, especially up to Lakewood's 1,200-square-foot ceiling. Homeowners looking for the lowest-cost entry point, or converting existing interior space, often look at a Junior ADU instead.
Cost factors in Lakewood
Hard construction costs in Lakewood generally track the same $285–$350 per square foot range as the rest of our Los Angeles County service area — see our full ADU cost guide for a type-by-type breakdown. On top of construction, budget for Lakewood's $330 new dwelling unit tax and any applicable school fees, plus standard plan check and permit fees. Converting an existing garage instead of building new construction is generally the more budget-friendly path here, since it reuses an existing foundation and structure.
Financing your Lakewood ADU
A HELOC, cash-out refinance, or dedicated construction loan are the most common ways Lakewood homeowners fund an ADU — see our ADU financing overview for how each option works and what to ask a lender. Since much of Lakewood's housing stock is older, some lenders may also ask about the condition of existing structures (like the garage being converted) as part of underwriting.
Rental income and property value in Lakewood
Lakewood's family-oriented, largely single-family character means many homeowners here consider an ADU for multigenerational housing as much as pure rental income — parents, adult children, or extended family living close by while keeping some independence. Rental demand and achievable rent still depend heavily on your specific street and unit, and we don't have a verified, current rent figure to quote for Lakewood specifically. The same goes for property value impact — a licensed appraiser or local real estate agent can give you numbers specific to your address. See our ADU Opportunity section for the general patterns we see across our service area.
How our process works
Frequently asked questions
It's a $330 fee the City of Lakewood collects before issuing a building permit for a new dwelling unit, including ADUs. It's separate from any school fees, which vary depending on which school district your property falls in. Confirm current amounts with Lakewood Building and Safety, since fee schedules can change.
On a single-family lot, Lakewood generally allows one ADU and one Junior ADU. Properties with an existing multi-family building can potentially add up to two detached ADUs, and may be able to convert non-habitable space into additional units up to a percentage of the site's permitted dwelling count. Confirm what applies to your specific property with the city.
Based on the city's published ADU information, applications require physical copies — architectural plans, exterior photos, and a completed application form. Submission requirements can change, so confirm the current process with Lakewood Building and Safety before preparing your packet.