As a designer in the San Francisco Bay Area, I’ve been a part of the ADU boom for years. There’s a reason they’re so popular. These versatile additions can help a homeowner in many ways:
Since an ADU is so versatile, you can do any or all of the above. An ADU is the perfect way to get more from your home.
Designing and permitting an ADU requires an experienced professional who knows the industry. You want someone on your side who will be honest about costs and timelines, create a quality design, pay attention to the details, and be your advocate at the permitting office.
In the design phase, your designer should listen carefully to your goals and create an ADU that will serve your needs and last a lifetime. You’ll need construction documents that are incredibly clear and precise so there are no costly misunderstandings with the builder.
In permitting, there’s always a period of back-and-forth with the city officials. You need someone who knows both the city regulations and the state law. (Some city personnel don’t fully understand the state laws, so knowledge is crucial here.) It’s critical that your design professional know who to talk to and how to get through the permitting process in your city.
If your property already has an ADU that was built without the proper permits, now is a great time to get everything legalized. To rent out your unit, you’ll need city permits, and to get those, you’ll likely need to do some renovations. I can help you bring your home addition, backyard cottage, garage apartment, or in-law unit into compliance.
Whether you’re building a new ADU or permitting an unpermitted unit, my experience in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento gives me an edge in designing and permitting for you. Contact me today to learn more about ADUs and to discuss your accessory dwelling project.
A backyard cottage, a guest house, or any detached ADU provides a complete living facility. This includes a kitchen and bathroom and is completely separate from the primary home. Such an ADU can either be new construction or a conversion from an existing detached garage. This provides a good option for properties that have a lot of extra yard space.
In this case, the addition is connected to a primary home. Examples include a basement conversion, a garage conversion, an apartment and an in-law unit connected to the primary home. This unit will have its own kitchen and bathroom independent from the main part of the house.
Located entirely within the existing walls of an established single-family home, the maximum size allowed is 500 square feet. Normally this type of ADU will have an efficiency kitchen. A private bathroom is not required provided that the Junior ADU has full access to a shared bathroom. A Junior ADU must include a separate exterior entrance. No extra parking is required..
In October of 2019, the California State Legislature passed three assembly bills that mark a new era in housing development. By changing residential zoning codes, California cities can now develop supportive zoning policies for ADUs. The state hopes that this change will increase the housing supply.
