Home Remodeling · Granada Hills
Remodeling a Home in Granada Hills
Granada Hills is rich in mid-century houses, including a protected Eichler tract, so the right approach depends on which street you are on.
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Design by Astrid Lind. Construction by Jacob Construction Inc., a licensed California general contractor, CSLB #1073757.
Granada Hills at a glance
Before You Plan a Remodel in Granada Hills
Who issues permits
Granada Hills is part of the City of Los Angeles.
Official site (opens in a new tab)Typical homes
- Mid-century ranch houses
- Eichlers in Balboa Highlands
Worth checking first
- HPOZ review in Balboa Highlands
- Electrical capacity
- A seismic check
Historic Overlay
Is Your Street in the Balboa Highlands HPOZ?
Granada Hills is in the City of Los Angeles, and most remodels are a standard LADBS plan check. The exception is the Balboa Highlands Eichler tract, which is a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone: exterior changes visible from the street, including windows, rooflines and siding, need review under the HPOZ preservation plan, administered by City Planning, before a permit is issued.
Mid-Century Stock
Ranch Houses and Eichlers
Much of Granada Hills was built out in the 1950s and 1960s as single-family neighborhoods of ranch-style homes. North of the flats, the Knollwood and Balboa Highlands areas rise toward the foothills.
Balboa Highlands contains a tract of Eichler homes, the post-and-beam modernist houses with glass walls and open plans, and the City of Los Angeles designated it a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ). In an HPOZ, exterior changes visible from the street generally require preservation review.
HPOZ review
In Balboa Highlands, plan for design review of exterior changes before permits.
Post-and-beam structure
Eichler roofs and radiant floor systems need specialist care in kitchens, baths and additions.
Ranch-house updates
Elsewhere, opening walls and enlarging kitchens is common and usually straightforward.
Older Houses
What Usually Needs Attention
Houses from this era often have original plumbing, electrical panels sized for far fewer appliances, and little insulation. Granada Hills was also strongly affected by the 1994 Northridge earthquake, and some homes carry repairs of varying quality.
A thorough assessment before design saves surprises. It is also the right time to plan for modern loads such as an EV charger, induction cooking or a heat pump.
Electrical capacity
A panel upgrade is common when adding a kitchen, ADU or EV charging.
Slab vs raised floors
Know your foundation type before moving plumbing.
Seismic check
Evaluate bolting and bracing on raised foundations.
Living With the Original Design
Respecting Mid-Century Architecture
Many Granada Hills owners chose their homes for mid-century character: low rooflines, large windows, open beams. A successful renovation usually keeps those qualities while fixing what has aged badly, such as single-pane glass, tired kitchens and cramped bathrooms.
Additions are most convincing when they continue the original roof pitch and window rhythm rather than introducing a contrasting style. For Eichler owners in the HPOZ, the preservation plan gives specific guidance on what is expected.
What People Build
What Homeowners in Granada Hills Typically Plan
Granada Hills homeowners frequently plan kitchen and bathroom remodels, whole-home updates of mid-century houses, careful Eichler renovations, rear additions, and garage conversions or detached ADUs.
Starting points: Granada Hills whole-home remodel and kitchen remodel options.
Also Nearby
Design concept
A Design Concept for a Granada Hills Home
Design illustration — not a completed project
A living-room concept that respects mid-century lines. In the Balboa Highlands HPOZ, changes visible from the street are reviewed; confirm the scope of interior work with the City.
Talk through what your house allowsGranada Hills: Common Questions
What is the Balboa Highlands HPOZ?
A Historic Preservation Overlay Zone covering an Eichler tract in Granada Hills. Exterior changes generally require review under the HPOZ preservation plan.
Can I remodel the interior of an Eichler without HPOZ review?
Interior work not visible from the street is generally outside HPOZ review, but confirm with the City’s Office of Historic Resources for your specific project.
Is an ADU possible in Granada Hills?
On most single-family lots, yes, under state law and City of Los Angeles ADU rules. HPOZ properties may have additional design requirements.
Can I replace windows on a Balboa Highlands Eichler?
Often, but in the HPOZ the replacement must be reviewed for compatibility with the original design before a permit is issued.