As California struggles with an affordable housing crisis, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are becoming a popular option for many homeowners. These small, standalone residential units built on your property can serve many different purposes: older relatives can move in to have their own space while still being close to family, or adult children can move in while they’re establishing themselves. Many people also rent out their ADU to supplement their monthly income and add value to their property.
If you’re interested in building an ADU for yourself, there are a few things to keep in mind before you start getting serious about your project.
What Is an ADU in California?
Building codes and regulations are ever-changing, and this is also the case for ADU construction in California. For the most part, the changes have been positive for homeowners. Recent bills have removed barriers to building these small units to help with the housing crisis currently taking place across much of the state.
There are also a few general parameters that hold true for most ADU builds:
- ADUs can generally be up to
8001200 square feet in size. - They typically cannot be taller than two stories and have a 16-foot height restriction.
- They often have a 4-foot setback requirement.
While these are good rule-of-thumb guidelines, it’s always good important to check your local permitting regulations. Some cities only allow single-story units, while others allow units to be larger in specific cases.
Do I Need a Planning Permit to Build an ADU?
Unfortunately, there is no straight answer here Typically yes; the need to obtain a planning permit depends on the county and local regulations. Even within a county, the answer isn’t black and white.
In Monterey County, getting a permit depends on zoning and other resource-based factors. Where you’re building also triggers different ordinances. If you’re building within the Inland Zone area, you follow one set of regulations; if you’re located in the Coastal Zone, you follow another, which requires getting a Coastal Administrative Permit.
Best ADU Design for California Homes
If you’ve done your permitting homework and decided to build an Accessory Dwelling Unit in your yard, a professional ADU design firm like RDD can help you plan the perfect build. When it comes to small residences like this, you want to make sure to optimize every inch of space throughout the home. Some helpful initial questions to consider include:
- How many rooms do I want? Do I want defined spaces or more of an open concept?
- Are there any tricks to make the most of the space, like installing a Murphy bed or having multi-functional furniture?
- What features are most important to include? Which would be fine to leave out?
- Where can I position windows to let in the most light while allowing the occupants’ privacy?
Some of these questions you may be able to answer yourself. But as you dive into the more technical side of ADU design, it can be helpful to call on a professional who has experience building these kinds of spaces.
Design the Perfect ADU with RDD
At Renovation Drafting & Design, we have more than 25 years of designing home remodels and accessory dwellings. We’re happy to show you specific examples of successful ADU designs so you can get a better understanding of how to create a comfortable and inviting residence.
At the same time, if you have a unique vision of your own, we’d love to hear your ideas. From there, we can draft floor plans and create a 3D rendering of the rooms you have in mind—giving you a clear picture of your potential ADU before starting the construction process. To see how we can help you dream up the ideal ADU for you, reach out to us today.
