Southern California · Land Surveying
Building an ADU in Los Angeles? Your designer and the city need accurate property lines, setbacks, and existing conditions. We provide the ADU survey that gets your site plan and permit moving.
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.
Most ADU projects need accurate property lines, verified setbacks, and a topographic/existing-conditions base so your designer can draw a site plan the city will accept. Exactly which pieces depend on your lot and city, but “where are my lines and how far must the ADU sit from them” is almost always the starting question — and that’s a survey question. Not sure yet what your project requires? Start with our plain-language guide: Do you need a land survey for an ADU in Los Angeles?
A boundary survey fixes the property lines the ADU is measured from; a topo shows existing structures, grades, trees, and utilities so the ADU is placed realistically and drainage works. Together they let your designer produce a site plan that holds up in plan check instead of bouncing back as a correction.
Side and rear setbacks, distance to the main house, and lot coverage all shape where an ADU fits. We verify the measured distances so your design starts from reality. If you want setbacks confirmed before you finalize the design, see our ADU setback survey.
City of Los Angeles ADUs go through LADBS; other LA County cities and unincorporated areas have their own standards. As a service-area firm, we survey ADUs across Los Angeles County and tailor the deliverable to the reviewing department.
Usually property lines (boundary), verified setbacks, and a topographic/existing-conditions base for the site plan. The exact mix depends on your lot and city; we’ll scope it for your property.
Often yes — a topo shows existing structures, grades, and utilities so the ADU is placed realistically and drainage works. Some flat, simple lots need less; we’ll tell you.
Side and rear setbacks and distance to the main house limit the buildable area. Verifying them early keeps your design from bouncing back in plan check.
Yes. We coordinate with ADU designers and builders and deliver CAD/PDF files they can build the site plan on.
A survey supports the city’s review but doesn’t guarantee approval — the city makes the final decision. It removes the survey-related reasons a plan can stall.
Yes. Hillside lots usually need more topographic detail; we survey across Los Angeles County, including sloped sites.
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.
Survey scope and deliverables depend on title records, site conditions, and what your project requires. Call (213) 787-3342 to discuss the property and the survey you need.
Tell us about your property and ADU plans — we’ll quote the survey your designer and the city need to move forward.