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 $275-$400. These figures include design, permitting, site preparation, and construction. The most affordable option is a garage conversion at $95,000-$195,000, while prefab/modular ADUs fall in between at $130,000-$300,000.
| Cost Category | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Architectural Plans | $3,000 – $15,000 |
| Permits & Fees | Plan check and permit fees due at submittal — confirm current schedule with Burbank Building & Safety, (818) 238-5250 |
| Impact Fees | Waived for ADUs under 750 sq ft per state law; proportional above — confirm with Community Development |
| 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. Get up to 3 free quotes from ADU builders serving Burbank — no obligation.
Get Burbank builder quotes →Permit fees in Burbank are Plan check and permit fees due at submittal — confirm current schedule with Burbank Building & Safety, (818) 238-5250. The review timeline is 60-day state deemed-approval clock (SB 543, 2026); BPAP preapproved plans target 30-day permit issuance under AB 1332, with plan check: Electronic review via ProjectDox; BWP water and electric ADU requirements reviewed in parallel; BPAP enrollment reviews run 6-8 weeks for new plan approvals. Impact fees are Waived for ADUs under 750 sq ft per state law; proportional above — confirm with Community Development. Pre-approved plans: Yes — Burbank Preapproved ADU Program (BPAP): city-approved 432 sq ft studio plan plus 12 accepted LADBS-preapproved designs (200-847 sq ft).
| 1-Bedroom Rent | $2,100-$2,400/month |
| 2-Bedroom Rent | $2,700-$3,000/month |
| Annual Rental Income (est.) | $27,000/year |
| Payback Period (est.) | 11.5 years |
| Short-Term Rental | No — ADU rentals must exceed 30 days; older city handouts required terms longer than 90 days (confirm current minimum with Planning, (818) 238-5250) |
| Overall ROI Estimate | 5-8% annual return (gross rental yield estimate) |
A typical ADU in Burbank generates approximately $27,000 per year in rental income based on average 1-bedroom rents. At an average construction cost of $310,000, the estimated payback period is 11.5 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: $95,000-$195,000.
2. Prefab/modular ADUs offer predictable pricing and faster timelines. Average: $130,000-$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.
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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