Short Answer
It has to be in a single-family zone, be large enough that both resulting parcels meet the minimum, and avoid certain hazard, historic and rental-history disqualifiers. We run the eligibility review before any design work.
- Typical cost
- Varies by parcel, unit count and site work
- Typical timeline
- 12–24 months including entitlement and permitting
- Permits
- Permits and inspections handled by us through LADBS or your city building department.
- Service area
- All of Los Angeles County, including the San Fernando Valley, Westside, South Bay and foothill cities.
- Credentials
- Licensed, bonded and insured. CSLB #1076428. Owner-operated.
What SB9 Allows
Two paths, sometimes combined: splitting one parcel into two, or building a second unit on the existing parcel. Both are ministerial approvals when the criteria are met.
- Urban lot splits into two parcels
- Two-unit developments on a single parcel
- New duplexes and detached second homes
- Combining SB9 with an ADU where allowed
- Tear-down and rebuild scenarios
Eligibility Comes First
A lot has to be in a single-family zone, meet minimum size after the split, and sit outside certain hazard and historic categories. Recent rental or eviction history can also disqualify a property. We check all of it before you spend money on design.
- Zoning and parcel size verification
- Fire-severity, flood and hazard zone screening
- Historic district and HPOZ constraints
- Rental and eviction history review
- Owner-occupancy and deed restriction requirements
From Parcel Map to Keys
SB9 projects involve a survey, a parcel map, utility separation, and then a full building permit for each unit. Because we design and build, one team carries it from the eligibility letter through the final inspection.
- Survey and tentative parcel map
- Separate utility services and meters
- Architectural plans and structural engineering
- Plan check corrections handled by us
- Construction with our own crews
SB9 Lot Splits & Two-Unit Development Jobs, With Real Numbers
Every figure below is from a permitted project we completed in Los Angeles County, not an estimate or an industry average.
SB9 Lot Split with Two New Homes, Highland Park
- Cost
- $1.24 million
- Duration
- 22 months including the split and both builds
- Size
- Two homes, 1,150 sq ft each
- Permits
- LADBS and LA Planning, urban lot split, permitted and inspected
SB9 Lot Split with Two New Homes, Fullerton
- Cost
- $1.38 million
- Duration
- 21 months including the split and both builds
- Size
- Two homes, 1,300 sq ft each
- Permits
- City of Fullerton, urban lot split, permitted and inspected
SB9 Lot Split with Two New Homes, Newbury Park
- Cost
- $1.29 million
- Duration
- 20 months including the split and both builds
- Size
- Two homes, 1,250 sq ft each
- Permits
- City of Thousand Oaks, urban lot split, permitted and inspected

Isaac Sade, Project Manager
Isaac runs sb9 lot splits & two-unit development projects at 1 Smart Build from the first site visit through final inspection: scope, plans, permit submittal, the crews on site, and the walkthrough at the end. You deal with one person who is accountable for the whole job.
Class B — General Building Contractor, CSLB #1076428. Bonded through and insured to $1,000,000 through U.S. Specialty Insurance Company. Rated 4.9 across 168 reviews.
More about IsaacFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does my lot qualify for an SB9 split?
It has to be in a single-family zone, be large enough that both resulting parcels meet the minimum, and avoid certain hazard, historic and rental-history disqualifiers. We run the eligibility review before any design work.
How long does an SB9 project take?
Plan on 12 to 24 months from eligibility review to finished units, with the parcel map and plan check often taking as long as construction.
Can I build an ADU on an SB9 lot?
Sometimes, depending on the path you take and your city's implementation. We map out the maximum unit count for your parcel up front so you can compare options.
Do you handle SB9 projects near me outside the City of Los Angeles?
Yes. SB9 is state law, so it applies across California, but every city implements it differently. We handle SB9 lot splits and two-unit developments throughout the greater LA area within about 100 miles of our Woodland Hills office.
Areas We Serve
1 Smart Build provides sb9 lot splits & two-unit development services within a 100-mile radius of our Woodland Hills office, covering Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Orange County and the surrounding region. Homeowners searching for a remodeling contractor near me regularly hire us in:
- SB9 Lot Splits & Two-Unit Development in Woodland Hills
- SB9 Lot Splits & Two-Unit Development in Calabasas
- SB9 Lot Splits & Two-Unit Development in Encino
- SB9 Lot Splits & Two-Unit Development in Sherman Oaks
- SB9 Lot Splits & Two-Unit Development in Studio City
- SB9 Lot Splits & Two-Unit Development in Pasadena
- SB9 Lot Splits & Two-Unit Development in Glendale
- SB9 Lot Splits & Two-Unit Development in Burbank
- SB9 Lot Splits & Two-Unit Development in Santa Monica
- SB9 Lot Splits & Two-Unit Development in Beverly Hills
- SB9 Lot Splits & Two-Unit Development in Culver City
- SB9 Lot Splits & Two-Unit Development in Long Beach
- SB9 Lot Splits & Two-Unit Development in Torrance
- Santa Clarita
- Thousand Oaks
- Ventura
- Anaheim
- Irvine
Don't see your city? View all service areas or give us a call, if you're within 100 miles, we build there.
DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT WITH 1 SMART BUILD
Licensed, bonded and insured design-build general contractor serving Los Angeles County and Southern California. Tell us about your property and goals, and we'll walk you through feasibility, permitting and a clear plan.

