SERVICE AREAS · BURBANK, CA
General Contractor in Burbank, CA
Rafa Home Builders remodels kitchens, baths and whole houses and builds ADUs and additions for Burbank homeowners. We handle Burbank city permitting, design in 3D and keep owners Justin and Elon on every job.
- CSLB License #1150519Class B General Building
- Licensed, Bonded & InsuredLiability + workers’ comp
- Family-Owned & Owner-LedJustin & Elon on every job
- Written Workmanship WarrantyOn qualifying projects
- Financing AvailableThrough Enhancify
Building in Burbank
Home Remodeling in Burbank, CA, Under the City’s Own Rules
Burbank has been its own city since 1911. Permits come from Burbank Building & Safety at 150 N. Third Street, not LADBS. The city also has single-family design standards that can add a planning permit before a building permit.
More than 62% of Burbank homes were built before 1970. In a house that age, original wiring, a small closed kitchen or a single shared bath can be the starting point. As a Burbank design build firm, we draw the new layout in 3D, handle plan check and build it with our own owner-led crew.
Not every job is a showpiece. Steady mid-tier remodeling, like a new kitchen or a second bath, gets the same planning as a whole house remodel. Functional space planning comes first, so every square foot works.
Burbank lots vary in size, so we look closely at what each one allows. A rear addition, a garage conversion or a better kitchen layout often adds more daily use than extra square footage alone. We check the design standards early, so the plan you approve is one the city can approve too. As your Burbank general contractor, we keep one point of contact from the first visit to the final inspection.
- Plans submitted to Burbank Building & Safety through ProjectDox
- Design standards and Special Development Permit checks done early
- Hillside Development Permit planning for hillside lots
- Older wiring and plumbing updated during the remodel
- Written workmanship warranty on qualifying projects
Kitchens & Baths
Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling in Burbank
Kitchens and bathrooms are two of our core services, planned around the homes in Burbank.
Kitchen Remodeling
More than 62% of Burbank homes were built before 1970, so small original kitchens are common. As your Burbank kitchen remodeler, we open the layout where engineering allows and file the plans with Burbank Building & Safety.
Bathroom Remodeling
Many older Burbank homes have a single bathroom. As a bathroom remodeler in Burbank, CA, we remodel existing baths and can add a second bathroom where the floor plan and city rules allow.
Quick Answers
Burbank Remodeling: Quick Answers
Short answers to what Burbank homeowners ask before a remodel.
- Does LADBS issue permits in Burbank? No. Burbank is its own city. Its Building & Safety Division handles permits, plan check and inspections.
- Does my addition need a planning permit? Sometimes. Burbank may require a Single-Family Special Development Permit for some additions over 500 sq ft and for larger homes.
- What about hillside homes? In Burbank’s hillside areas, adding floor area or height, or grading, can trigger a Hillside Development Permit.
- Which ZIP codes do you cover? 91501 through 91508, from the Media District and Magnolia Park to the Rancho and the hillside neighborhoods.
- Can I build an ADU in Burbank? Usually, yes. We plan standard ADU construction, garage conversions and JADUs under Burbank’s ADU rules.
- How far is your office? Our office is at 21550 Oxnard St in Woodland Hills, west along the Ventura Freeway.
Before You Build
Burbank City Permitting, Design Standards and Hillside Rules
Three layers of review shape most Burbank projects. We work through all three before construction is scheduled.
City permits
Simple Tier 1 permits are issued online. Remodels and additions that need plan check are Tier 2 and are filed through ProjectDox, with a zoning pre-screen first. We prepare and submit the plans and schedule each inspection.
Single-family design standards
Since 2017, Burbank has controlled bulk and mass on single-family lots. New homes over 0.35 FAR or 3,000 sq ft, whole-house teardowns and some additions over 500 sq ft may need a Single-Family Special Development Permit.
Hillside and fire zones
In the hillside areas, added floor area, height, grading or structures over 16 feet can need a Hillside Development Permit. Burbank also has very high fire hazard severity zones, which can bring ignition-resistant construction rules.
Neighborhoods
Burbank Neighborhoods We Work In
Each part of Burbank comes with its own housing age, zoning and permit questions.
Media District
Homes near the studios, where media district home upgrades often mean opening layouts and adding a home office.
Magnolia Park
Homes near Magnolia Boulevard, where we plan new kitchens, baths and updated electrical around original layouts and access for crews and deliveries.
Rancho Equestrian District
Horsekeeping-zoned lots where ADUs, additions and backyard plans follow the city’s R-1-H standards. We confirm those limits before design.
Hillside neighborhoods
Sloped lots where additions, decks and retaining walls may need a Hillside Development Permit, soils work and engineering.
Burbank side of Toluca Lake
Toluca Lake addresses inside Burbank, reviewed by Burbank Building & Safety instead of LADBS.
ZIP codes: 91501 through 91508. Nearby landmarks: Warner Bros. and Disney studios, Hollywood Burbank Airport and the 134 Ventura Freeway.
Services
Remodeling Services for Burbank Homes
Each service is planned with Burbank permits and its pre-1970 housing in mind.
Kitchen Remodeling
A Burbank kitchen remodel that opens a small original kitchen to the living area, designed in 3D first.
Explore kitchen remodeling →Bathroom Remodeling
Bathroom updates in Burbank, from a refreshed hall bath to a new primary bath with a walk-in shower.
Explore bathroom remodeling →ADU Construction
Standard ADU construction, garage conversions and JADUs planned under Burbank’s ADU rules.
Explore adu construction →Electrical Panel & Rewiring
Panel upgrades and rewiring for pre-1970 homes, performed by appropriately licensed trades where California law requires.
Explore electrical panel & rewiring →Windows & Doors
Replacement windows and doors that cut noise and improve comfort in older houses.
Explore windows & doors →Backyard Remodeling
Backyard remodels with patios, shade and outdoor kitchens that add usable living space.
Explore backyard remodeling →Planning a Burbank Remodel?
Tell us about your house and what you want to change. We’ll walk it with you, check which permits apply and send a written scope.
Client Stories
What Homeowners Say About Rafa Home Builders
How It Works
How a Burbank Project Runs
Five steps from first visit to final walkthrough.
- 01
Consultation & Site Walk
We visit your Burbank home, listen to what you want to change and note anything the lot, the HOA or the city will affect.
- 02
3D Design & Scope
In-house 3D design lets you see layouts and finishes before anything is built, and gives you a written scope to approve.
- 03
Engineering & Permits
We coordinate engineering where the project needs it and submit plans to the City of Burbank.
- 04
Construction
One schedule, regular updates and owners Justin and Elon involved from demolition to finish work.
- 05
Final Walkthrough
Final inspection, a punch-list walkthrough with you, and a written workmanship warranty on qualifying projects.
FAQ
Burbank General Contractor FAQs
Is Rafa Home Builders a licensed general contractor for Burbank projects?
Yes. Rafa Home Builders holds California contractor license #1150519 (B, General Building), is bonded, and carries general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
Who issues building permits in Burbank?
The City of Burbank Building & Safety Division, not LADBS. We prepare plans, file them through the city’s portal and schedule inspections.
Will a whole house remodel trigger extra review?
It can. A whole-house teardown always needs a Special Development Permit, and some large additions do too. We check before design is finished.
Do you build new homes in Burbank?
No. Rafa Home Builders focuses on remodeling, additions and ADUs. A whole-home renovation can give an older Burbank house a new layout and finishes.
Can you convert my garage into an ADU?
Often, yes. We review parking, setbacks and utilities, then design and permit the conversion with the city.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. Through Enhancify you can compare home improvement financing options from multiple lenders, subject to credit approval.
What areas near Burbank do you serve?
We also work in Toluca Lake, Valley Village, Studio City, Sherman Oaks and across the San Fernando Valley, LA County and Orange County.
Nearby Areas
Also Serving Communities Near Burbank
Burbank, CA is one of the 20 communities we serve in and around the San Fernando Valley. Our crews work across the east end of the Valley.
Free Estimate
Talk With a General Contractor Serving Burbank
Tell us what you want to change. Justin and Elon will explain the city permit steps, what your lot allows and the clearest way to start.
- Free consultation and written estimate
- 3D design before construction
- Permits, construction and inspections handled
Request Your Free Estimate
Tell us about your project and we’ll follow up to schedule your free consultation.