Same zip, different jurisdiction: this page covers LA County Public Works (DPW). The same zip code(s) also cover parts of Lancaster (Lancaster (its own permits)). Verify your parcel's jurisdiction before filing — different agencies, different rules.
Antelope Valley · LA County (Unincorporated)
ADU permits in Quartz Hill
Zip codes:93536
Quartz Hill is an unincorporated community of about 11,500 people in the western Antelope Valley, between Lancaster and Palmdale. It is not a city. Building permits run through Los Angeles County Public Works (Building & Safety). The community is known for the long-running Quartz Hill Almond Blossom Festival.
Unincorporated LA County, not LADBS
Quartz Hill is unincorporated territory. Building permits go through LA County Public Works (Building & Safety) ↗ under LA County Code Title 22, not the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). Our address checker pulls real feasibility data for any LA County address; the Quartz Hill-specific permit pathway is detailed below.
Quartz Hill by the numbers
Rounded figures from the 2020 US Census, LA County Assessor parcel data, and LA County DPW permit records.
Population
11,500
2020 Census
Single-family homes
~3,900
LA County Assessor
Median lot size
12,000 sqft
Approximate
ADU permits filed 2025
~28
Source: HCD 2025 total (1,278) distributed proportionally across 2024 per-area shares. 2024: 32.
What makes Quartz Hill different
Quartz Hill is unincorporated despite being surrounded by Lancaster and Palmdale. Permits run through LA County DPW Building & Safety at the Lancaster field office via EPIC-LA. Larger lots than typical AV — most parcels are 0.25 to 0.5 acres.
LA County ADU rules for Quartz Hill
Last verified: 2026-04-15
Current LA County rules from Title 22 of the County Code, as applied to Quartz Hill. State preemption (Gov Code §65852.2) means the county can't reduce below the state baseline. We note where that applies.
| 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) |
| Permitting agency | LA County Public Works (Building & Safety), Lancaster field office |
| Local processing time | 60 days from complete submittal (state-mandated) |
Active overlays + extra rules in Quartz Hill
LA County overlays + state-level designations that hit a meaningful share of Quartz Hill parcels.
Watch-outs specific to Quartz Hill
- 01
Don't file with Lancaster or Palmdale — it's LA County
Quartz Hill residents often default to Lancaster or Palmdale city for permits, then have to restart with LA County.
Amenities + civic services in Quartz Hill
Parks, libraries, and the school district that serve the area. Context that matters for renter appeal, family relocation, and long-term resale.
Parks + sports
Quartz Hill Park
50th Street West
LA County community park.
- Baseball
- Playground
- Picnic
Libraries
Quartz Hill Library
LA County Library
50th Street West
Public schools
School assignments vary by exact address. Performance levels below are from the official California School Dashboard — California's official accountability system uses colored levels (blue highest, red lowest) rather than 1-10 numeric scores.
District
Westside Union School District + Antelope Valley Union High School District
Notable schools in the area
- Quartz Hill High School
Getting around Quartz Hill
Car-dependent semi-rural.
Transit + walkability
Walkability
Mostly car-dependent.
Nearby airports
Distance + type for each major Los Angeles-area airport reachable from Quartz Hill. Useful for travel, commute, and any flight-path noise concerns on specific parcels.
General William J. Fox Airfield (WJF, Lancaster)
~7 miGeneral aviation
Palmdale Regional (PMD)
~9 miRegional / domestic
Nearby areas to Quartz Hill
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.
LA County unincorporated
Lake Los Angeles →
Rural eastern Antelope Valley unincorporated community. Multi-acre lots + low entry-cost home values + LA County jurisdiction shape Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) economics for owner-occupant + family-use builds.
LA County unincorporated
Sun Village →
Small eastern AV unincorporated community with Black-American homesteading heritage. LA County jurisdiction + rural large lots shape the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) calculus.
LA County unincorporated
Leona Valley →
Small western AV unincorporated community with cherry-orchard heritage. Multi-acre lots + LA County jurisdiction + San Andreas Fault zone shape the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) calculus.
Frequently asked questions about Quartz Hill ADUs
›Can I build an ADU in Quartz Hill?
Yes. Quartz Hill allows ADUs under LA County Code Title 22, aligned with California Gov Code §65852.2. Most single-family lots can host one ADU plus one JADU. Permits go through LA County Public Works (Building & Safety), not LADBS, since Quartz Hill is unincorporated territory rather than a city.
›Why does Quartz Hill use LA County rules instead of LA City rules?
Quartz Hill is unincorporated. It's never been formally incorporated as its own city, so LA County serves as the local government. Building permits, zoning, sheriff, libraries (in many cases), and most other services run through county departments rather than city ones.
›Where do I submit my Quartz Hill ADU permit?
Online via LA County's EPIC-LA portal, or in-person at the LA County Public Works Building & Safety counter in Alhambra (900 S. Fremont Avenue). The EPIC-LA online portal handles most ADU submittals end-to-end, so you rarely need to visit in person.
›How long does the ADU permit process take in Quartz Hill?
LA County DPW targets the state-required 60-day plan check for ADUs from a complete submittal. Hillside, VHFHSZ, or environmental-review parcels can extend timelines by 4 to 12 weeks. Quartz Hill-specific overlays may add additional time. See the watch-outs above.
›Are LA County's pre-approved ADU plans free?
Yes. LA County maintains three pre-approved standard ADU plans (Plans A, B, and C) usable in any unincorporated area, including Quartz Hill. They're free to use, similar to LADBS's YOU-ADU program. The trade-off is reduced design flexibility, but for a fast, low-cost permit path they're the strongest option.
Ready to see what your Quartz Hill lot can do?
Our free address checker pulls real zoning, overlay, and parcel data for any Los Angeles County address, including unincorporated Quartz Hill. 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.
Quartz Hill ordinance data last reviewed .
See an error or stale rule? corrections@permitpath.la
Primary sources: LA County DPW ADU info · LA County Code Title 22