ADU for Rent: Sacramento County

An accessory dwelling unit is a secondary house located on your site. It contains all the same functional spaces and amenities as your main home but within a smaller footprint. A property owner may choose to use their unit to house aging relatives, organize a remote work office, or create a rental unit.

If you’re interested in renting your units in Sacramento County, you may find it helpful to learn more about the types of ADU units, the rent arrangements, and special considerations.

ADU House Rental Policy in Sacramento, CA

How many units can you rent out? Typically, single-family property owners can have one ADU (detached or attached) and one junior ADU (ADU up to 500 sq. ft.). This means you can rent both of them. However, if you don’t occupy the property with your units on it, California laws will only permit you to rent your ADU, not a JADU.

Multifamily households have more complex rules, depending on local regulations and the exact number of apartments. But most likely, you’ll be able to build and then rent two detached ADUs and one ADU conversion.

To rent out an ADU, you will need to follow these steps:

• Obtain permission to rent (especially if it’s short-term rentals via Airbnb or VRBO);
• Preparing your ADU for renting;
• Create a written rental agreement where you state the rent duration, the maximum number of ADU occupants, payment sums, and other terms;
• Seeking reliable and eligible tenants;
• Demanding a security deposit from the tenants before they move in;
• Conclude an agreement and discuss tenancy rules, payment schedules, and other vital issues.

All in all, there’s comprehensive work required before you can actually rent out your ADU unit. So, get your ADU and documentation ready and start to gain passive income from your place in the following month!

ADU Amenities for Renting, Sacramento

If you wonder how to make your ADU homes alluring for potential lessees, make sure you enjoy living in them. But let’s get to more practical advice.

First of all, your ADU should feature the following characteristics:

• Functional Utilities

These involve things like air conditioning (especially in hot weather), gas, electricity, water, in-house laundry facilities, sewer, trash, and so on.

• Privacy

Your ADU places should have their own entrances, providing lessees with a sense of autonomy. For many people, the privacy of the residential area is crucial, as it creates a more peaceful environment to live in.

• Good Internet

A modern ADU unit cannot do without Internet cables or wi-fi. It’s as crucial as functional utilities because many people rely on the Internet every day.

• Enough Storage Space

If you offer a small unit with 1 bed and 1 bath, make sure your renters will be able to find a space in your ADU where they can store their belongings. This can significantly influence their experience if they have to pile things on top of each other.

• Outdoor Spaces

Think about this nice image: a tiny house in the garden, equipped with a deck with cozy wicker outdoor furniture and flower beds or branchy trees. Many ADU renters look not only at what’s inside but also at the overall harmony of the area.

Lessees have different needs. Some search for a pet-friendly unit or a unit with a parking lot for a car, while others appreciate small townhomes with lovely views of the street. In any case, most renters will select a home that balances convenience with affordability.

ADU Tenants Search Guidelines

When examining tenants’ applications, there are certain filters ADU owners typically apply to ensure credibility and ability to pay. These include:

• Proof of available income sources to afford the rent;
• Proof of timely payment of bills and loan payments;
• Rental application form with personal data, rental history, and details about current occupation;
• Checks of background that center around a criminal record and eviction history.

After these checks, ADU owners should set up precise terms of payment, establish ADU and its area maintenance tasks, explain all rights to the lessees, set clear restrictions for them (pet and invitation policy, fire safety, etc.), demand a security deposit, and enter into an official lease agreement.

Affordable Bonus ADU Program in Sacramento, CA

There’s a way to gain more from building ADU houses in Sacramento County. For example, typically, you may build an ADU up to 1200 sq. ft. and 16 ft. high. However, if you participate in the Affordable Bonus ADU Program, you have a chance to receive density bonuses, like the right to build a higher ADU or exceed the floor area ratio. Moreover, ADU property owners can obtain fee waivers, relieving them of ADU permitting fees or impact fees. Participation in this program might also influence the approval time for your ADU permit applications.

So, what do you do? Create affordable housing options for low- or moderate-income tenants! Within this program, you agree to rent out an ADU below market prices in exchange for bonuses from the local authorities. If you want to take part in this program, agree with the city or other housing authorities to find out and set the limits for applicants’ income.

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ

How many baths should a 1-bedroom ADU have?

Commonly, 1-bedroom accessory dwelling units provide accommodation for a few people. They are compact and space-efficient ADUs, so in most cases, they have one bath with a layout that maximizes the accessible space. If only one or two people occupy a tiny home, a single-bathroom configuration is typically enough.

What are the payment considerations for ADU rent?

When you rent out an ADU home, ensure you have clear payment terms. These may encompass the exact amount of the security deposit, dates or periods of payments, possibilities of rent increases, penalties for late payments, methods of collecting the rent, and so on.

What amenities increase the price of an ADU rental unit in Sacramento, CA?

Pools, balconies, a private outdoor area, chic décor, and quality furniture increase the rent amount. Besides, if you offer extra-comfort features like cutting-edge kitchen and laundry appliances, high-speed wi-fi, parking lots and security systems, a walk-in closet set, and space-efficient features, some renters may also be willing to pay more.

Can I have an ADU if I live in an apartment complex?

Some jurisdictions allow ADUs on multifamily properties, like apartment complexes, to expand housing options. However, it’s not very common because you may not have room to build an ADU, or your zoning rules may not allow it. Anyway, it makes sense to check in with the local authorities to know for sure.