Is a New ADU Feasible on Your Property?
Before investing in plans, many homeowners want to understand whether a new ADU is realistic for their property. Here's what a new-build feasibility review typically covers.
What a New ADU Feasibility Review Covers
A new-build feasibility review is a general look at whether a new ADU may be realistic on your specific property — before you invest in plans or a licensed professional's fees. It's a starting point for homeowners who haven't built anything yet and want to understand their options.
Legal ADU Pro helps homeowners understand the general factors involved and coordinates next steps, including connecting with licensed professionals when a more detailed feasibility analysis is needed.
General Factors That Affect Feasibility
- Lot size, shape, and available buildable area
- Setback requirements from property lines and existing structures
- Access to utility connections (water, sewer, electrical)
- Existing structures already on the property
- Local zoning and any applicable size or height limits
These factors vary significantly by city and county. An individual review of your specific property and local requirements is needed to understand what's realistic.
How This Differs From a Legalization Feasibility Review
This page is for homeowners who have not yet built an ADU and want to understand whether a new one is realistic. If you already have an unpermitted ADU, garage conversion, or other structure and want to understand whether it can be legalized, see our ADU Feasibility Review for legalization instead — that page addresses a different starting point and different questions.
Get a Feasibility Review
Legal ADU Pro can help you understand whether a new ADU may be feasible on your property.
Request a Property Review →Explore planning options for detached, attached, and garage conversion ADU projects.
View New ADU Services →If a new ADU looks realistic for your property, see what's involved in planning a detached or attached unit.
Detached ADU → Attached ADU →Once feasibility looks good, most projects move on to plans, drafting, and design coordination.
ADU Plans, Drafting & Design →If you already have an unpermitted ADU or structure, this isn't the right page — see ADU Feasibility Review for legalization instead.
Legalization Feasibility Review →Questions About New ADU Feasibility
The main factors are lot size, setbacks, access to utilities, and any existing structures on the property, along with local zoning rules. An individual review of your specific property is the most reliable way to find out — from there, most homeowners move on to plans and drafting.
This page covers feasibility for a new ADU you haven't built yet. The Services feasibility review addresses whether an existing unpermitted ADU or structure can be legalized — a different starting point with different questions. If you already have unpermitted work, see the legalization feasibility review instead.
No. Feasibility depends on lot size, setbacks, existing structures, utility access, and local zoning requirements. An individual review is needed to understand what's realistic for your specific property.
If a new ADU looks feasible, the next step is typically coordinating plans and drafting, followed by permit coordination. See our ADU Plans, Drafting & Design Coordination guide for what's involved.
Ready to Find Out If a New ADU Is Feasible?
Request an initial property review and understand whether a new ADU may be feasible for your property.
Request a Property Review → Call 310-570-2885