Complete 2026 cost breakdown: construction, permits, financing, and expected rental ROI.
Calculate your Burbank ADU cost →Building an ADU in Burbank costs between $220,000-$400,000 for new construction, with per-square-foot costs averaging $300-$550. These figures include design, permitting, site preparation, and construction. The most affordable option is a garage conversion at $100,000-$225,000, while prefab/modular ADUs fall in between at $120,000-$300,000.
| Cost Category | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Architectural Plans | $3,000 – $15,000 |
| Permits & Fees | Planning ADU application fee $1,728.42 (FY2026-27 Planning Fees, effective July 1, 2026); building plan check and permit fees are valuation-based under the Citywide Fee Schedule (confirm with Building & Safety, (818) 238-5220). BWP water charges run 'from a few hundred up to ten thousand dollars' depending on fixture count, main location and any new service, paid before Water Division approval; BWP electric aid-in-construction fees and a kVA capacity charge apply to any new, upgraded or relocated panel (since Oct 1, 2023). A school district facilities receipt is required at submittal |
| Impact Fees | None for an ADU under 750 sq ft of interior livable space (measured that way since Jan 1, 2026 under SB 543). At 750 sq ft or more, Burbank charges its development impact fees in proportion to the ADU's share of the primary home's size, or of the average unit size on a multifamily lot; a 150 sq ft expansion on a conversion can push it over the line (city ADU DIF worksheet dated 1/1/2026; BMC 10-1-620.3(K)(2)) |
| Site Prep & Foundation | $10,000 – $35,000 |
| Framing & Structure | $15,000 – $45,000 |
| Plumbing | $8,000 – $20,000 |
| Electrical | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| HVAC | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| Interior Finishes | $15,000 – $40,000 |
Quotes for the same ADU commonly vary 20–40% between builders. We pass your request to up to 5 local builders serving Burbank, where we have them — free, no obligation.
Get Burbank builder quotes →Permit fees in Burbank are Planning ADU application fee $1,728.42 (FY2026-27 Planning Fees, effective July 1, 2026); building plan check and permit fees are valuation-based under the Citywide Fee Schedule (confirm with Building & Safety, (818) 238-5220). BWP water charges run 'from a few hundred up to ten thousand dollars' depending on fixture count, main location and any new service, paid before Water Division approval; BWP electric aid-in-construction fees and a kVA capacity charge apply to any new, upgraded or relocated panel (since Oct 1, 2023). A school district facilities receipt is required at submittal. The review timeline is 60 days from a complete application to approve or deny, or the ADU is deemed approved (BMC 10-1-620.3(A); SB 543 from Jan 2026). BPAP preapproved plans target 30-day permit issuance; enrolling a new design in BPAP takes 6-8 weeks for the first review and 2-3 weeks per recheck, with plan check: Electronic review in ProjectDox after emailing the application to eplancheck@burbankca.gov; BWP water and electric requirements are checked alongside Building, Fire and Public Works. Fire sprinklers are required only if the main house has them; the city's BPAP checklist notes a new ADU over 718 sq ft must add a solar system per its CF-1R energy report under a separate solar permit; a one-story wood-frame ADU built to the prescriptive code does not need architect or engineer stamps. Impact fees are None for an ADU under 750 sq ft of interior livable space (measured that way since Jan 1, 2026 under SB 543). At 750 sq ft or more, Burbank charges its development impact fees in proportion to the ADU's share of the primary home's size, or of the average unit size on a multifamily lot; a 150 sq ft expansion on a conversion can push it over the line (city ADU DIF worksheet dated 1/1/2026; BMC 10-1-620.3(K)(2)). Pre-approved plans: Yes. The BPAP Library currently lists one city-approved design, BPAP 24001, a 432 sq ft one-story studio, plus one accepted LADBS standard plan, ADU17, a 360 sq ft studio. The July 2024 city FAQ said 12 LADBS plans were accepted, so ask Building & Safety, (818) 238-5220, which are still accepted before buying plans. The homeowner buys the plans from the designer, submits a site plan, G001 sheet and the BWP forms, and staff append the stamped plans in ProjectDox.
| 1-Bedroom Rent | $2,100-$2,600 (Zumper Sept 2026 $2,137; RentCafe Aug 2026 $2,598 apartment averages)/month |
| 2-Bedroom Rent | $2,850-$3,550 (Zumper Sept 2026 $2,850; RentCafe Aug 2026 $3,549)/month |
| Annual Rental Income (est.) | $28,200/year |
| Payback Period (est.) | 11.0 years |
| Short-Term Rental | No. BMC 10-1-620.3(Q) requires ADU and JADU rentals to run longer than 90 days (state law's floor is 30 days); an ADU may be rented separately but not sold separately from the house (R) |
| Overall ROI Estimate | 6-10% gross rental yield on a $220,000-$400,000 build at $2,100-$2,600/mo (estimate before taxes, vacancy and financing) |
A typical ADU in Burbank generates approximately $28,200 per year in rental income based on average 1-bedroom rents. At an average construction cost of $310,000, the estimated payback period is 11.0 years — before accounting for the resale value the ADU adds, which an appraiser determines from comparable sales in Burbank and varies by market (often less than build cost).
1. Garage conversions save 40-60% vs new construction since the shell already exists. Average cost in Burbank: $100,000-$225,000.
2. Prefab/modular ADUs offer predictable pricing and faster timelines. Average: $120,000-$300,000.
3. Pre-approved plans — available in Burbank, which can save $3,000-$10,000 in design costs and 2-3 months in review time. See which cities offer pre-approved ADU plans.
4. State grants — California's CalHFA ADU grant (up to $40K) is currently paused; check calhfa.ca.gov/adu for status and your state for active programs.
5. Get multiple bids — ADU contractor pricing varies 20-40% for the same project. We recommend getting at least 3 quotes.
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