What You Need to Know About Standalone ADUs After the 2025 Fires in Southern California
- kayla5523
- Sep 18
- 5 min read
When the Eaton Fire devastated Altadena and the Palisades Fire spread through Los Angeles County in January 2025, the destruction was overwhelming. Entire neighborhoods were left without homes, and families who had lived in Southern California for generations suddenly faced displacement.
Recovery after wildfires is never quick. In Los Angeles County, the reality of rebuilding often means years of waiting when it comes to waiting for insurance claims, navigating financing, and facing the maze of city permitting and inspections. For many, the idea of returning home feels distant.
But this year, there’s a new option that didn’t exist in past fire recoveries. Executive Order N-9-25 and LA County’s Subdivision and Zoning Ordinance Interpretation No. 2025-04, fire-affected homeowners now have the ability to place a standalone ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) on their property even if their main house was destroyed.
This is more than temporary housing. For families in Altadena, Pasadena, and across LA County, standalone ADUs represent both stability during recovery and long-term value for the future.
What Changed After the Fires?
Before 2025, California’s ADU laws were clear. You could only build an ADU on a property that already had a primary residence. For families whose homes were destroyed in wildfires, that meant they couldn’t move forward with an ADU until after a main rebuild, a process that often takes two to five years.
Executive Order N-9-25 changed that rule for fire-affected homeowners:
It temporarily suspends the primary residence requirement.
It allows families in designated fire zones to build a standalone ADU right away.
It ensures survivors can return to their property quickly, without waiting years for a full rebuild.
So why does this matter for Altadena and Palisades homeowners? Because this means that families can return to their neighborhoods instead of being displaced for years.
What Is a Standalone ADU?
Most homeowners are familiar with ADUs as backyard cottages, garage conversions, or attached suites. A standalone ADU is different. It’s a fully permitted dwelling built on a property that doesn’t currently have a primary house.
Why this matters during fire recovery:
In past disasters, survivors often had only two options.
Relocate entirely, which often meant leaving behind schools, jobs, and community ties.
Use temporary housing like trailers or RVs, which aren’t comfortable long-term and must eventually be removed.
Standalone ADUs change the equation. They are:
Permanent: Once built, they remain part of the property.
Comfortable: Designed to California building standards, with full kitchens, bathrooms, and modern amenities.
Flexible: Once the main home is rebuilt, the ADU becomes a rental, guest house, or family suite.
For families in fire-impacted areas of Los Angeles County, standalone ADUs bridge the gap between temporary housing and long-term rebuilding.
The County’s Interpretation (No. 2025-04)
When the Governor signed the Executive Order, one big question remained. How long can survivors live in standalone ADUs?
To clarify, Los Angeles County issued Interpretation No. 2025-04. The key points:
Homeowners can live in a standalone ADU for up to five years.
The rule expires on January 7, 2030, five years from the County’s fire emergency declaration.
After that, the ADU doesn’t need to be removed, it simply becomes a permanent part of your property alongside your rebuilt home.
This timeline gives homeowners the security of knowing they can stay on their property during recovery without wasting their investment.
What Happens When You Rebuild?
One of the biggest fears homeowners have is: Will I have to tear down my ADU once my house is done?
The answer is no.
Your standalone ADU can remain permanently.
The only requirement is that it must be shown on the site plan when you submit permits for your new home.
There are no additional hearings or approvals required.
This means your ADU isn’t just a temporary solution. It’s part of your long-term property strategy. One that adds value, creates flexibility, and supports your family well beyond recovery.
Why Standalone ADUs Matter for SoCal Families
Beyond the legal changes, here’s why standalone ADUs are such a game-changer for homeowners across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties:
Financial Security
Standalone ADUs aren’t just housing during recovery. Once your main home is rebuilt, they become income-generating rentals or valuable guest homes. In markets like Pasadena, Ventura, and Simi Valley, rental demand is high, making ADUs a smart long-term investment.
Lifestyle Flexibility
An ADU isn’t just a rental unit. It can serve as space for aging parents, adult children, or visiting family, a major benefit for multigenerational living in Southern California.
Community Stability
For families in Altadena and Palisades, being able to stay in the neighborhood during recovery means kids remain in the same schools, community ties aren’t lost, and the rebuilding process feels less disruptive.
FAQs for Fire-Affected Homeowners
How long can I live in my standalone ADU?
Up to five years, until January 7, 2030. After that, it becomes part of your permanent property plan.
Do I need special permits?
Yes. You’ll need to apply for a County Disaster Recovery Permit in addition to standard ADU approvals.
How quickly can an ADU be built?
Many prefab ADUs can be designed, permitted, and installed in as little as 90 days. Custom ADUs may take longer but still provide faster housing than a full rebuild.
What about utilities?
Standalone ADUs must connect to standard water, sewer, and electrical systems. A professional ADU builder coordinates this as part of the project.
Will my insurance cover it?
In many cases, yes. ADUs are insurable as part of your recovery plan and are seen as safer than temporary trailers.
How much does it cost?
Costs vary based on size, site conditions, and design. Many fire-affected families are choosing prefab options for speed and affordability, while others invest in larger custom units knowing they’ll become long-term rentals or family housing.
How to Get Started
If you’re a fire-affected homeowner in Altadena or the Palisades, here’s how to move forward:
Confirm your eligibility. Check if your property falls within the Eaton Fire or Palisades Fire zones.
Apply for a Disaster Recovery Permit. This ensures your standalone ADU is authorized under the new rules.
Design your ADU. Think about both your short-term needs and how you’ll use the ADU once your main home is rebuilt.
Plan utilities and placement. Work with a builder to determine the best location for your ADU so it complements your future rebuild.
Work with experienced ADU builders. At Wealth Nest ADU, we specialize in navigating county rules, permits, and construction so you can focus on recovery.
Conclusion
The 2025 fires changed everything for families in Altadena and the Palisades. But for the first time, survivors have a recovery tool with standalone ADUs that make rebuilding more stable, flexible, and financially secure.
These aren’t just stopgap shelters. They’re permanent homes that give you the ability to live on your property during recovery while adding long-term value for the future.
If your property was affected by the fires, contact Wealth Nest ADU today. From permits to design to construction, our team helps homeowners across Southern California rebuild smarter, faster, and stronger.
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