Same zip, different jurisdiction: this page covers Burbank (Burbank Community Development Department). The same zip code(s) also cover parts of Toluca Lake (LA City (LADBS)). Verify your parcel's jurisdiction before filing — different agencies, different rules.
Eastern San Fernando Valley · LA County
ADU permits in Burbank
Zip codes:9150191502915049150591506
Burbank is an independent city of about 107,000 people in the eastern San Fernando Valley (SFV), bordered by Glendale, North Hollywood, and Pasadena. It runs its own building and planning departments, with an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance largely aligned with the California state baseline (Gov Code §65852.2). Best known as the home of the Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Studios, and Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Burbank has a strong mix of mid-century single-family stock plus the historic Magnolia Park district.
Independent city — not LADBS
Burbank runs its own building department. Permits go through Burbank Community Development Department ↗, not the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). Our address checker pulls real zoning + overlay data for any Los Angeles County address. The Burbank ordinance breakdown below covers the city-specific permit path.
Burbank by the numbers
Rounded figures from the 2020 US Census, LA County Assessor parcel data, and the city's own published reports. Estimates only — your specific lot can vary widely.
Population
107,000
2020 Census
Single-family homes
~25,000
LA County Assessor
Median lot size
6,200 sqft
Approximate
Median home value
$1.1M
Zillow / Redfin
What makes Burbank different
Burbank's ADU ordinance is implemented through Burbank Municipal Code Title 10 and is largely state-baseline. Plan check is typically faster than LADBS — homeowners often see 30-45 days for a complete submittal. The big local quirks are airport-noise-zone construction requirements on parcels under the BUR flight path and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) rules on the northern Verdugo foothills.
Burbank ADU ordinance — the rules that apply
Last verified: 2026-05-12
The current ADU rules in Burbank, sourced from the city's published ordinance and verified against CA Government Code §65852.2 (which preempts local rules stricter than state baselines). When you see "state default," that means the city can't reduce below this number under state law.
| Max detached ADU size | 1,200 sqft (state default) |
| Max ADU height | 16 ft / 18 ft with second-story setbacks |
| Setbacks | 4 ft side / 4 ft rear (state minimum) |
| Airport-influence area construction | Sound-attenuation rules on parcels under the BUR flight path Mostly affects southern + central Burbank. Adds STC-rated windows + insulation upgrades. |
| Local processing time | 30-45 days typical (faster than state-mandated 60) |
| Pre-approved standard plans | None city-specific — uses HCD-prefab + custom designer plans |
Active overlays + extra rules in Burbank
City overlays + state-level designations that hit a meaningful share of Burbank parcels. Each affects what you can build, how long it takes, or how much it costs.
BUR Airport-Influence Area
~55% of parcelsParcels under the BUR flight path require sound-attenuation construction (STC-rated windows, upgraded insulation). Affects a wide swath of southern + central Burbank. Adds modest cost, not timeline.
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ)
~15% of parcelsNorthern Verdugo foothills hit the VHFHSZ. Triggers Chapter 7A construction (Class A roofing, ember-resistant venting) — adds roughly 7% to construction cost.
Watch-outs specific to Burbank
Patterns we see across BurbankADU permits. None are dealbreakers — they're just the things people get wrong most often.
- 01
Airport-noise construction is real if you're south of Glenoaks
Burbank's Airport-Influence Area covers a wide southern + central swath. Plans require sound-attenuation details that LADBS doesn't ask for. Don't reuse a Studio City designer's stock ADU plans verbatim; the window assemblies usually need upgrading.
- 02
Burbank Unified school fees apply
Burbank Unified School District (BUSD) charges school facility fees on ADUs over 500 sqft. Currently around $4.79/sqft — a 900 sqft ADU adds roughly $4,300.
- 03
Plan check is faster than LADBS — don't expect LA City timelines
Many Burbank ADUs clear plan check in 30-45 days for a complete submittal. If your contractor quotes a 6-month timeline citing LADBS averages, push back. The constraint here is usually contractor availability, not the city.
Need a person, not a wizard?
Routes that fit Burbank
Based on what we know about Burbank, these are the lead types that usually make sense here. Pick whichever fits your situation. All free, no obligation.
Complex permit context
Request a Burbank permit referral
Coastal, hillside, historic, fire-zone, or multi-overlay parcels in Burbank usually mean a permit expediter pays for itself in saved months. We work with vetted Los Angeles permit expediters and expeditors (both spellings) who've handled Burbank projects.
Complex permit context
Request a Burbank permit referral
Coastal, hillside, historic, fire-zone, or multi-overlay parcels in Burbank usually mean a permit expediter pays for itself in saved months. We work with vetted Los Angeles permit expediters and expeditors (both spellings) who've handled Burbank projects.
Talk to our financing broker
Want someone to walk you through your options?
Our in-house broker has 30+ years in LA mortgage and ADU financing. He'll lay out HELOC, construction-to-perm, and ADU-specific products like Renofi against your situation — free, no obligation.
Talk to our financing broker
Want someone to walk you through your options?
Our in-house broker has 30+ years in LA mortgage and ADU financing. He'll lay out HELOC, construction-to-perm, and ADU-specific products like Renofi against your situation — free, no obligation.
Plans that fit Burbank lots
Burbankdoesn't maintain a city-specific pre-approved plan library the way the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) does. California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)-approved prefab (which bypasses local plan check) and custom designer plans are the main paths:
Amenities + civic services in Burbank
Parks, libraries, and the school district that serve the area. Context that matters for renter appeal, family relocation, and long-term resale.
Parks + sports
Johnny Carson Park
Bob Hope Drive, central Burbank
Named for the longtime Tonight Show host (filmed at NBC Burbank). Mature trees, large picnic areas, and a creek-side walk.
- Picnic
- Playground
- Trails
McCambridge Park
Glenoaks Blvd, central Burbank
Burbank's main community park. Pool, recreation center, ball fields, and an aquatic center.
Public swimming pool
- Pool
- Baseball
- Soccer
- Playground
- Community Center
- Picnic
Brace Canyon Park
Sunset Canyon Drive, north Burbank hillside
Hillside park with hiking trails into the Verdugo Mountains.
- Trails
- Picnic
Verdugo Park
Verdugo Avenue, central Burbank
Tennis, skate, and pickleball courts; an off-leash dog park; community center.
Pickleball + skate + off-leash dog park
- Tennis
- Pickleball
- Skate
- Dog Park
- Community Center
- Picnic
Libraries
Burbank Central Library
Burbank Public Library
Glenoaks Blvd, downtown Burbank
Main branch of the Burbank Public Library system, independent of LA County Library.
Buena Vista Branch Library
Burbank Public Library
Buena Vista Street, west Burbank
Northwest Branch Library
Burbank Public Library
West Olive Ave, northwest Burbank
Public schools
School assignments vary by exact address. The district + notable schools below cover most of the area.
District
Burbank Unified School District (BUSD)
Notable schools in the area
- John Burroughs High School
- Burbank High School
- John Muir Middle School
- Walt Disney Elementary
BUSD is one of the better-performing public districts in the eastern San Fernando Valley.
Getting around Burbank
Mixed — Magnolia Park + downtown Burbank are walkable; the east side is car-dependent. Strong bus + Metrolink access.
Transit + walkability
Bus lines
- Metro 92 (Burbank to Downtown LA)
- Metro 94 (Burbank to Hollywood)
- Burbank Bus Routes 1-4
Nearest rail
Downtown Burbank Metrolink station — Olive Ave + Front Street (Antelope Valley Line + Ventura County Line)
Walkability
Highly walkable in Magnolia Park + downtown Burbank; car-dependent in the eastern + northern hillside neighborhoods.
Transit parking exemption applies. Lots within ½ mile of a major transit corridor skip the off-street parking requirement for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) under California state rules. Confirm with the city or county that your specific parcel qualifies.
Nearby airports
Distance + type for each major Los Angeles-area airport reachable from Burbank. Useful for travel, commute, and any flight-path noise concerns on specific parcels.
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
~1 miRegional / domestic
Burbank IS Burbank Airport's home. Some southern parcels are directly under the flight path — see the airport-noise overlay above.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
~8 miGeneral aviation
Los Angeles International (LAX)
~20 miInternational
Community + landmarks in Burbank
Annual events, landmarks, and the places that anchor the area's identity. Context for renter appeal and long-term resale.
Annual events
Burbank on Parade
Early April · since 1971
Annual parade down Olive Avenue celebrating Burbank's community organizations and schools.
Source ↗Magnolia Park Memory Lane Cruise Night
First Saturdays, May through September
Classic-car cruise nights along Magnolia Blvd. Hosted by the Magnolia Park Neighborhood Association.
Source ↗Burbank International Film Festival
September (4 days) · since 2009
Independent film festival at AMC Burbank Town Center. Industry-adjacent given Disney + Warner Bros. proximity.
Source ↗
What makes Burbank Burbank
Walkable district
Magnolia Park district
Mid-1900s commercial strip along Magnolia Blvd between Hollywood Way and Buena Vista. Vintage shops, restaurants, the historic Bookmark Cafe.
Studio tour
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Public guided tour of the historic Warner Bros. lot. Burbank's biggest visitor draw outside of BUR airport.
Major employer
Walt Disney Studios + NBC Burbank
Disney's worldwide headquarters and the NBC Burbank complex anchor the entertainment-industry employment base.
Nearby areas to Burbank
Other Los Angeles-area pages worth a look. Each one runs different Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) rules depending on jurisdiction — we show you what changes when you cross a city or county line.
Independent city
Glendale →
Large lots, strong walkability in downtown + Adams Hill, and an established mix of mid-century single-family homes give Glendale solid Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) economics. Verdugo hillside parcels north of Mountain Street face geotech and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) rules.
LA City
North Hollywood →
Dense east Valley with multi-family zoning unlocks. Often 2+ ADUs allowed per lot — most other Valley neighborhoods are capped at one.
LA City
Studio City →
Smaller lots, more design review, but a savvy homeowner base — Studio City sees one of the highest ADU permit rates per single-family parcel in LA.
Frequently asked questions about Burbank ADUs
›Can I build an ADU in Burbank?
Yes. Burbank allows ADUs under its local ordinance, aligned with California Government Code §65852.2 (the state baseline that preempts overly-strict local rules). Most single-family lots can host one ADU plus one JADU. Permits go through Burbank Community Development Department, not LADBS — see the ordinance table above for the specific rules.
›How does Burbank differ from LA City for ADU permits?
Three main differences: the permit agency (Burbank Community Development Department vs. LADBS), the local ordinance details (each city has some flexibility above the state baseline), and the timeline (some cities are faster, some slower than LA's 60-day plan check). See the ordinance breakdown above for the specifics on each.
›How much does it cost to build an ADU in Burbank?
Median home value in Burbank is around $1.1M, which usually means lot economics support a quality ADU build of $200K–$400K all-in. Hillside, coastal, or VHFHSZ lots add 7–25% on top. HCD-prefab units (Connect Homes, Cover, Plant Prefab) bypass local plan check entirely and typically run $190K–$350K turnkey.
›Does Burbank have pre-approved standard plans like LA's YOU-ADU?
No. Unlike LADBS, Burbank does not maintain a city-specific pre-approved plan library. The two faster paths are an HCD-approved prefab (factory-certified, skips local plan check) or a custom designer drawing for your lot. The slower path is a fully custom architect-led design.
›Will the PermitPathLA wizard work for my Burbank address?
Yes. The wizard pulls real zoning, overlay, and parcel data for any Los Angeles County address, including Burbank. What you'll see today: feasibility for your specific lot, the overlays that apply, and a routing summary pointing at Burbank Community Development Department for the permit submittal. Deeper Burbank-specific permit walkthroughs are next on the roadmap as we expand from LADBS into the independent-city ordinances.
Ready to see what your Burbank lot can do?
Our free address checker pulls real zoning, overlay, and parcel data for any Los Angeles County address — including Burbank. Start there and we'll surface what applies to your specific lot.
Check your address →Reviewed by Yair Harpaz, Founder, PermitPathLA. California DRE-licensed broker with 30+ years of Los Angeles real estate and mortgage industry experience.
Burbank ordinance data last reviewed .
See an error or stale rule? corrections@permitpath.la
Primary sources: Burbank planning · Burbank Community Development Department permits