ADU Electrical Service with Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)
How to get a service upgrade, a new or separate meter, or a relocated service from Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) when you add an ADU, and what our electrical plans give you for that application.
Who LADWP serves
Municipal utility providing water and power to the City of Los Angeles. Of the California places we cover, 34 are served mainly by Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), and together they issued 52,059 ADU building permits from 2021 through 2025.
How LADWP handles new and upgraded service
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) handles new service, service upgrades and meter changes through its Electric Service Planning. This is separate from the building permit, so start it as soon as the electrical load calculation shows what the ADU needs. The steps LADWP describes:
- Contact LADWP (Connection Center) to reach the Electric Service Planner/ESR for the project area; for new service, submit an electric service application (in person at a Customer Service Branch Office or by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP).
- Request a meter spot (online for single-family/ADU up to 320 amps); an ESR visits the site and leaves a sketch of the approved panel location, which the LADBS inspector may ask to see.
- For larger services, submit the Residential Service Planning Information Form and plans so LADWP can determine the method of service and requirements.
- Pay any necessary construction charges, deposits or application fees.
- LADWP inspects and approves the electric service equipment.
- LADBS (Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety) inspects and approves the customer's construction and electronically notifies LADWP of approval and meter release.
- LADWP construction crews schedule the work and energize the service.
What LADWP asks for
- Electric service application (for new service)
- Service Planning Information Form / Residential Service Planning Information Form (above a single 225-amp panel per the meter spot page; 320-400 amp services and new construction per the guide)
- A full set of electrical drawings (planning electric services)
- For residential services over 400 amps or three-phase: address, contact information, square footage, site and elevation plan, one-line diagram (meter panel and main disconnect amps, service voltage), load schedule, desired in-service date and construction schedule
Our ADU electrical plans include the NEC Article 220 load calculation, panel schedule and single-line diagram, which cover the load and equipment information on this list. Site-plan and service-location details come from your architectural set.
A separate meter for the ADU
LADWP's Electric Service Requirements (Section 5-M, Accessory Dwelling Unit) state that when more than one meter will be installed, attached and detached ADUs must have a separate and unique legal address different from the primary residence, as approved by the Los Angeles Department of Public Works; a single service lateral and service point is provided per lot or premises; and, unless otherwise approved by LADWP, all meters and service equipment are grouped in a single location on the primary single-family residence. Overhead options listed include using the existing residential meter (with no upgrade), one residential multiple-metering panel, up to two residential meter panels with separate service heads grouped together, or a single commercial safety-socket or CT-rated meter panel. For underground multiple metering, the terminating pull box and service must be sized for both the primary residence and the ADU.
Whether a separate meter makes sense depends on the load calculation, the existing service size and the cost of the utility work. See when a separate service is required instead of a subpanel.
Service requirements
Meter location, clearances and service equipment must follow LADWP Electric Service Requirements (2025 Edition, November 1, 2025). We show the meter and service equipment on the electrical plan so the location can be confirmed with LADWP early.
Places LADWP serves that we cover
| Place | County | Climate zone | ADU permits 2021–25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Los Angeles | CZ 9, 8, 6, 16 | 52,059 |
| North Hollywood (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 3,130 |
| Van Nuys (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 2,156 |
| Pacoima (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 1,487 |
| Canoga Park (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 1,485 |
| Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 1,256 |
| Granada Hills (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 1,206 |
| Reseda (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 1,168 |
| Encino (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 1,116 |
| Sylmar (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 1,081 |
| Northridge (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 1,049 |
| Winnetka (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 1,002 |
| Chatsworth (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 971 |
| Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 915 |
| Sun Valley (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 884 |
| Panorama City (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 817 |
| Tarzana (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 654 |
| Sunland (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 16 | 584 |
| Tujunga (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 16 | 562 |
| North Hills (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 539 |
| Mission Hills (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 534 |
| West Hills (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 495 |
| Venice (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 6 | 439 |
| Wilmington (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 6 | 410 |
| Valley Village (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 407 |
| San Pedro (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 6 | 393 |
| Studio City (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 354 |
| Pacific Palisades (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 6 | 226 |
| Arleta (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 202 |
| Porter Ranch (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 132 |
| Harbor City (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 6 | 111 |
| Sherwood Forest (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 46 |
| Toluca Lake (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 9 | 40 |
| Playa del Rey (Los Angeles) | Los Angeles | CZ 6 | 32 |
Sources
- ladwp.com/construction-services/construction-and-renovation-electric-service-requests/request-meter-spot-single-family-residential-home-or-adu-320-amps
- ladwp.com/sites/default/files/2025-10/2025%20ESR%20Manual%2011.1.25.pdf
- ladwp.com/who-we-are
- ladwp.com/sites/default/files/2024-03/Guide%20to%20Electric%20Service%203.12.24.pdf
Summarized from Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)'s published pages. Utility processes, forms and rules change, so confirm the current requirements with LADWP (contact) before you apply.
Need ADU electrical plans for a LADWP service request?
We prepare the load calculation, panel schedule and single-line diagram the utility and the building department both review.
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