Will Your ADU Meet the Setbacks? Verify Before You Submit.

Don’t submit your ADU plans until the setbacks are verified. We measure your property lines and confirm the distances the city checks — so your project doesn’t stall on a setback correction.

Tell us what the city, county, architect, or engineer requested — we’ll help determine whether you need boundary, topo, setback, hillside, or permit survey support. Call now to discuss your project.

Confirming ADU setbacks from the property lines.

What a setback survey shows

A setback survey establishes your true property lines and measures the distances from existing and proposed structures to those lines. For an ADU, that’s the number plan check cares about most: does the unit sit far enough from the side and rear lines, and from the main house? Verifying it before submittal is far cheaper than a correction and a redesign.

Typical LA ADU setbacks (and why they vary)

State ADU law sets common baselines — often modest side and rear setbacks for new detached ADUs — but cities apply their own standards, and lot shape, easements, and existing structures change the picture. Rather than rely on a rule of thumb, we measure your actual property and report the real distances.

Common setback corrections we help prevent

What we field-measure & deliver

Want the full ADU site-plan base too? See our ADU survey.

Related ADU & permit help

Frequently asked questions

What is an ADU setback survey?

It’s a survey that establishes your property lines and measures the distances from structures to those lines, so you can confirm the ADU meets required side, rear, and structure-to-structure setbacks.

How close to the property line can an ADU be?

It depends on your city and lot — state law sets common baselines, but local standards, easements, and existing structures change it. We measure your actual property and report the real distances.

Why did plan check flag my setbacks?

Often because the site plan used estimated lines or the assessor map instead of a survey. A measured setback exhibit resolves that.

Can you verify before I finalize the design?

Yes — that’s the ideal time. Verifying setbacks pre-submittal avoids a correction and a costly redesign.

Does this guarantee approval?

No. It confirms the setback facts the city reviews, but the city makes the final decision. It removes setbacks as a reason for rejection.

How fast can you do it?

We quote quickly and schedule promptly; residential turnaround depends on lot size, access, and records.

A survey supports plan check, design, and code review. It does not guarantee permit approval — the city or county building and planning departments make the final decision. Our job is to make your project survey-ready.

Licensed Surveyor Oversight

Survey work is completed by, or under the responsible charge of, California-licensed Professional Land Surveyors. When a stamped survey is required, the final deliverable will identify the responsible licensee for that project.

Verify your ADU setbacks first.

Get the property lines and setbacks confirmed before you finalize the design — and avoid a setback correction later.

Call Now: (213) 787-3342 Free Quote