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Making your living space bigger and better is something many homeowners dream about. However, with the affordable housing crisis, it becomes more difficult each year to buy more property or turn a single-family home into a multifamily one. Luckily, there is one affordable option that allows any property owner to create a separate living space without spending a fortune.
Accessory dwelling units, shortly called ADUs, are additions to your main house, and they are placed on the same property as the primary residence. These housing units are also known as backyard cottages, tiny houses, in-law units, and granny flats. All of these names basically indicate the same thing, which is the secondary home located on your property.
There are several ADU types that property owners can choose as their secondary units, and some of the most popular ones are detached ADUs. A detached accessory dwelling unit does not have any common walls or entrances with the main house, and that is their primary difference from the attached ADUs. Such a backyard cottage can be built as a new construction, or it can be converted from any already existing structure.
Looking for professionals to handle your detached ADU project? Here, at ADU Builders Bay Area, we provide quality design and construction services for reasonable pricing. Contact our specialists now and start developing your own ADU construction.
Detached ADUs are not just tiny homes, as these units have their own set of zoning laws and requirements made by the local jurisdiction. In order to receive a building permit from the officials, your detached ADU plan has to comply with all federal and local laws. That is why working on an ADU project with a professional is important; otherwise, you might have to redo your plans several times. And keep in mind that each time you apply for a permit, you have to pay a fee, according to state law.
So, what are the main detached ADU legislation rules that homeowners should focus on when planning an accessory structure? The following list explains them in detail:
For a single-family property, it is allowed to have a detached accessory dwelling unit of no more than 1,200 square feet. The maximum square footage determined by local officials cannot be lower than stated by federal ADU regulations. For detached ADUs, it depends on the number of bedrooms: 850 square feet for a one-bedroom tiny house and 1,000 square feet for detached units with two or more bedrooms.
Depending on your area of residence, a parking space might be required for the ADU. Usually, it must be off-street parking, with or without covering. Parking space is not required for detached ADUs made from garage conversions and for those located in areas that have important historical significance.
Accessory dwelling units of the detached type must have their own entrance that is not shared with the primary residence.
Detached ADUs must comply with the local zoning rules that regulate the distance between the ADU and back, side, and front property lines. Moreover, there are requirements for setbacks from your main living space. Zoning rules are different for each area, so it is better to check local laws to see if your accessory unit complies with them.
To build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) according to all the legal requirements, it is better to hire an ADU specialist that can help you with complicated nuances. ADU Builders Bay Area is ready to work on your detached ADU so that you do not have to spend your precious time and efforts trying to figure things out all by yourself.
All types of ADUs are considered affordable housing options. However, the specificities of one or another kind of ADU can affect not only the total cost of the unit construction but also its future efficiency and value. So, when it comes to choosing between accessory dwelling unit types, you should consider all the pros and cons.
With an attached ADU, you are more limited in the square foot amount, as these units must be no bigger than half of the primary residence’s square footage. The limitations are even stricter if you are planning to build a junior accessory dwelling unit. As already mentioned, detached ADUs should be no bigger than 1,200 square feet, which is pretty beneficial for homeowners who need an ADU for the actual living space, and not just a storage space.
Another point to consider is the price of constructing the accessory unit. When it comes to calculating the final cost, contractors usually consider the amount of materials used and the work provided. As a detached accessory dwelling unit is often built anew, it requires more construction work and bigger structures to be built. Hence, the price for such a unit is generally higher than it is for an attached ADU.
However, paying more for the construction of a detached ADU can be beneficial for you in the future, in case you decide to rent this part of your single-family property. With a complete detached accessory dwelling unit, you can provide residents with a proper living space that would give them some extra rental income. A detached accessory dwelling unit is easier to rent out as it has more space and is separated from the primary residence, which gives both you and your renters more privacy.
If you do not have much free space on your lot but still need that spare room added to your home, an attached ADU or junior ADUs might be a better choice. Since they are more compact, they allow you to save some space while still increasing the property value a bit. With a detached ADU, your property value will get even bigger, which makes it more attractive to potential future buyers.
Just when you thought that you have figured out all the distinctions between different kinds of ADUs, it turns out there is more to discover. Detached ADUs might vary, depending on their purpose and way of construction.
Some of the detached ADU types include:
For lots of smaller sizes, the last two options might be preferable, as they allow you to save some free space on your property. On the other hand, if the size of your lot is not as limited, building a full-on accessory unit can be quite beneficial for the property value and potential rental income.
No matter what kind of detached ADUs you are willing to get, ADU Builders Bay Area can help you to plan and construct everything in the most efficient way. Whether you want to make a garage conversion or have a brand-new structure put together, our experienced team will ensure that you end up with high-quality results.
So, why should you consider building an ADU in the first place? The most obvious answer is that it allows you to extend the living area without having any renovations done to your primary residence. It means that your grown-up children or elderly family members that need to be taken care of, can have their personal living space without sacrificing any other rooms in the house. Unlike basement apartments, you do not have to give up on potential storage space or other important areas of your home.
Another way of using your ADU is turning it into a guest house. If your family often has friends and family over, a detached unit can provide them with a private space to stay while they are visiting. This allows you to have your loved ones nearby while still living in the comfort of your own home and personal space.
If you are someone who works from home, a detached ADU can also be quite beneficial for you. With a home office or a studio inside an ADU, you would be able to create a perfect working environment without being distracted by daily life at home. Also, such a space allows you to store any necessary tools or equipment that might be needed for your work or hobby. A great way to get the most use out of your ADU is to combine the guest house with the working area so that you can let your visitors stay in when needed and work there at other times.
Another advantage for homeowners with an ADU is the potential income from rent. With an attached ADU, it is quite difficult to rent it out, especially to complete strangers. A detached ADU has no such problem and allows you to have tenants all year round. What is more, you would not only increase your family budget but also make the value of the whole property bigger. If you ever plan to sell the house, this can be a big advantage on the estate market. Pay attention that your ADU cannot be sold separately from the main housing unit.
To make your detached ADU as pleasing to the eye and attractive to potential renters or buyers, hire ADU Builders Bay Area to create the best ADU project. Our skilled and experienced in-house team of local designers and professional builders will provide all the necessary services at the highest level of competence.
Some of the possible advantages of hiring a building company to construct your detached ADU have been mentioned in this article multiple times. However, if you are asking yourself, “Why should I choose ADU Builders Bay Area as my contractor company?” We are more than ready to provide a variety of reasons.
First of all, our employees have a lot of previous experience in building ADUs of different types and complexities. From standard structures to some architecturally unique solutions, our team has done it all, and a rich portfolio, along with reviews of our previous customers, serves as proof. We consider all the features of your lot, as well as the area you reside in, to come up with the most suitable solutions.
Second of all, our in-house team is full of specialists in different areas. They all have extensive knowledge of the industry and its most common trends. Thus, you do not have to hire different professionals for each type of work, as our team does it all. From designing a plan that complies with all the law rules to providing all the necessary facilities to your brand-new unit, each step is done in a top-notch way.
What is more, we use only high-quality equipment, as well as safe and trusted materials. Combined with modern building techniques, these tools help us to achieve secure and efficient results in a timely manner. We value the safety of our customers, which is why each project is completed with attention to every little detail.
Contact ADU Builders Bay Area now and get started on your ADU project. You can expect nothing but excellent results that take into account all of your needs and preferences. With lots of experience and professional skills, the ADU Builders Bay Area team will make sure that your ADU is done according to all the legal requirements as well. We are looking forward to working on your ADU project!
