Home Remodeling, ADUs & Additions in Lafayette
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Our Services in Lafayette
Backyard ADUs, garage conversions and junior ADUsBathroom Remodeling in Lafayette
Primary suites, hall baths and accessible bathroomsKitchen Remodeling in Lafayette
Open layouts, islands, structural and system upgradesHome Additions in Lafayette
Single-story additions and second storiesNew Home Construction in Lafayette
Custom homes and teardown rebuilds
Lafayette General Contractor for ADUs, Additions and Remodels
Axiom Renovation (CA Lic. #1105006) builds ADUs, additions, remodels and outdoor projects in Lafayette, from flat lots near downtown to properties in the Hillside Overlay District. We handle design coordination, City planning approval, the County building permit and construction.
Lafayette reviews planning applications, and Contra Costa County issues building permits and does inspections.
What We Build in Lafayette
- ADUs: detached, attached and junior ADUs, plus garage conversions
- Home additions and second story additions
- New custom homes, including tear-down and rebuild
- Kitchen and bathroom remodels and whole-home renovations
- Outdoor living: pools and spas, outdoor kitchens, pavers and hardscape, and artificial turf, lawns and landscaping
See finished work in our portfolio.
Lafayette ADU Rules at a Glance
- Lafayette sorts ADUs into classes. Class A is a detached ADU of 800 sq ft or less with at least 4 ft side and rear setbacks. Class B is a conversion of existing or proposed space, which can add up to 150 sq ft for entry or exit. Class C covers other ADUs and needs an ADU Permit.
- Class C ADUs can be up to 1,200 sq ft; an attached ADU is generally capped at 50% of the main home.
- Class C height is generally 17 ft; attached ADUs can be up to 25 ft or the zone limit, whichever is lower, with a maximum of two stories.
- Side and rear setbacks are 4 ft; front setbacks follow the zone (20 ft in R-6 to R-15, 25 ft in R-20 to R-65).
- One parking space is required for an ADU with a separate bedroom, with state exemptions.
- Rentals must be 30 days or longer, the ADU cannot be sold separately, and a JADU requires owner occupancy. Decisions are ministerial within 60 days.
Source: City of Lafayette ADU permit packet (Ordinance 695).
Rules change often, so we confirm the current standards for your parcel during the site assessment.
Other Lafayette Rules That Affect Your Project
- Design review is required in single-family zones for projects over 17 ft tall or that bring total floor area over 6,000 sq ft.
- Hillside Overlay District: new or changed structures and grading need a Hillside Development Permit (ADUs themselves stay ministerial).
- Protected trees: native trees 12 in. or more on developed lots, riparian trees 6 in. or more within 30 ft of a creek, and ridgeline and street trees need a permit to remove or heavily prune.
- Landscaping: Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) rules apply to new landscapes of 500 sq ft or more and rehabilitated landscapes of 2,500 sq ft or more.
- Wildfire: most of Lafayette is mapped in a High fire hazard zone on the 2025 maps, which affects construction standards and defensible space.
Getting Permits in Lafayette
Plans are submitted to the City through its idtPlans portal for planning review. Building permits are issued digitally by Contra Costa County Building Inspection.
We Also Work Near Lafayette
We also build in nearby Orinda, Moraga, Walnut Creek, and across the Bay Area. See all of our service areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size ADU can I build in Lafayette?
A Class A detached ADU can be up to 800 sq ft, and a Class C ADU up to 1,200 sq ft, with attached ADUs generally capped at 50% of the main home.
When does a Lafayette project need design review?
In single-family zones, design review is triggered when a project goes over 17 ft in height or brings total floor area over 6,000 sq ft.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Lafayette?
Often yes. Native trees 12 in. or more in diameter on developed lots, creekside trees and ridgeline trees are protected and need a permit to remove or heavily prune.
Who issues building permits in Lafayette?
Lafayette reviews planning applications, and Contra Costa County issues building permits and performs inspections.