Complete 2026 cost breakdown: construction, permits, financing, and expected rental ROI.
Calculate your Glendale ADU cost →Building an ADU in Glendale costs between $175,000-$375,000 for new construction, with per-square-foot costs averaging $275-$475. These figures include design, permitting, site preparation, and construction. The most affordable option is a garage conversion at $75,000-$200,000, while prefab/modular ADUs fall in between at $180,000-$300,000.
| Cost Category | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Architectural Plans | $3,000 – $15,000 |
| Permits & Fees | Glendale publishes no flat ADU permit fee: plan check and building permit fees are valuation-based, so request an estimate from the Building Division, (818) 548-3200. The city's development impact fee is about $5,000 and is waived for ADUs of 750 sq ft or less. |
| Impact Fees | ADUs of 750 sq ft or less are exempt from development impact fees (Gov. Code 66311.5); Glendale charges about $5,000 for larger ADUs (city ADU page), which state law limits to a share proportional to the primary dwelling's fee. |
| 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 Glendale, where we have them — free, no obligation.
Get Glendale builder quotes →Permit fees in Glendale are Glendale publishes no flat ADU permit fee: plan check and building permit fees are valuation-based, so request an estimate from the Building Division, (818) 548-3200. The city's development impact fee is about $5,000 and is waived for ADUs of 750 sq ft or less.. The review timeline is State law requires a decision within 60 days of a complete application and, since Jan. 1, 2026 (SB 543), the application is deemed approved if the city misses that deadline; Glendale does not publish its own review times., with plan check: Valuation-based plan check by the Building Division; submittal needs a site plan, floor plan, elevations, roof plan, sections and a photo survey of the site (city ADU page). A pre-approved Standard Plan gets expedited review.. Impact fees are ADUs of 750 sq ft or less are exempt from development impact fees (Gov. Code 66311.5); Glendale charges about $5,000 for larger ADUs (city ADU page), which state law limits to a share proportional to the primary dwelling's fee.. Pre-approved plans: Yes - the Standard Accessory Dwelling Unit Plan Program (Pre-Approved ADU Program) lists 1 approved plan (1-story, 740 sq ft, 1 bed/1 bath), designed and sold by a private firm; Standard Plans 2 and 3 are listed as 'coming soon'. Program contact (818) 937-8139..
| 1-Bedroom Rent | $2,000-$2,700/month |
| 2-Bedroom Rent | $2,800-$3,400/month |
| Annual Rental Income (est.) | $28,200/year |
| Payback Period (est.) | 9.8 years |
| Short-Term Rental | Not for stays under 30 days: state law (Gov. |
| Overall ROI Estimate | 5-8% annual return |
A typical ADU in Glendale generates approximately $28,200 per year in rental income based on average 1-bedroom rents. At an average construction cost of $275,000, the estimated payback period is 9.8 years — before accounting for the resale value the ADU adds, which an appraiser determines from comparable sales in Glendale 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 Glendale: $75,000-$200,000.
2. Prefab/modular ADUs offer predictable pricing and faster timelines. Average: $180,000-$300,000.
3. Pre-approved plans — available in Glendale, 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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