ADU Plans 800 sq. ft.: Small Accessory Dwelling Units

ADU house plans range from spacious 2-bedroom ADUs to minimalistic studio ADU designs, catering to the individual preferences of different homeowners.

When deciding what ADU square footage is right for your property, we consider lots of factors, starting from the amount of available space on the land and your budget to specific needs like income generation or accommodating family members. ADU plans that occupy 800 sq. ft. are very popular because they’re big enough for a comfortable lifestyle and compact enough not to use too many resources.

Let’s find out what benefits 800-square-foot ADUs offer and whether such home plans suit your property!

800-Square-Foot Accessory Dwelling Unit: Perfect Floor Plan

The house plan must meet the desired living conditions and provide the necessary amenities. ADU plans within 800 sq. ft. are ideal for couples and small families because they combine a good level of privacy with cost-effective square footage.

Medium-size floor plans might be the right choice for several reasons:

1. Less Daunting to Maintain

Compact residences following 800 sq. ft. dwelling designs require minimal upkeep. If you’re not a fan of lengthy cleaning procedures and frequent repairs, smaller-scale ADUs reduce the number of daily tasks, leaving more time for yourself to enjoy your day. The less square footage, the easier!

1. Budget-Friendly

Residences structured on 800-square-foot house layouts not only decrease your overall monthly expenditures but also enable you to pay lower mortgage expenses and reduce house insurance charges. A smaller space necessitates less electricity and water, and this lowered consumption results in reduced utility bills.

1. Cottage Interior Savings

In addition to low water and power consumption as well as smaller debt, floor plans up to 800 sq. ft. lead to fewer belongings and decorations. Typically, if you build a smaller ADU, you don’t need as much furniture and adornments for your unit as you’d require in a larger home.

1. Promotion of Outdoor Lifestyle

Unlike ample ADUs with two bedrooms and a large living area, a smaller house encourages the homeowner to cultivate an outdoor living space. Imagine your small family gathering on the porch, spending time together while gardening, or having tea parties in garden wicker chairs. Tiny houses motivate inhabitants to spend more time outdoors, spurring them to focus on experiences rather than possessions.

All in all, despite the huge variety of ADU sizes and layouts, a large number of property owners opt for 800-square-foot ADU units because they work almost for any site. When you choose an ideal size for your ADU homes, it’s essential to remember what purposes this tiny home should serve.

800-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit Uses

What makes ADUs within 800 sq. ft. a valuable addition to your property? There are plenty of diverse ways to utilize these flexible spaces.

Here are a few options:

• Accommodating extended family members;
• Housing guests in a small vacation home;
• Generating rental income by providing tenants with affordable housing options;
• Downsizing your living spaces for money savings;
• Creating work-from-home offices or business ADUs;
• Creating art studios, leisure amenities (home theaters, reading nooks, and sunrooms), and dedicated areas for sports or other activities.

The compact size of such an ADU offers a lucrative mixture of enhanced overall utility and value of the property while preserving a moderate service price.

800-Square-Foot ADU House Plans

There are no laws that establish that your kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom should be on a particular side of your ADU. That is why, usually, homeowners can arrange their ADU homes in a way that fits the lot the best way possible.

Let’s find out what types of house plans you can choose to live in your ADU.

Open or Separate Room Floor Plans

You’ve likely heard about 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom ADU designs as well as open floor plans like studio ADUs. The difference lies in the level of privacy you aim for. If you have a large open area uniting the kitchen, dining area, and living space, your ADU home will possibly fit more amenities. However, if you live not alone but with someone else, the one cohesive area consisting of the living room, sleeping area, and kitchen may make you feel exposed.

Shape That Fits Your Lot

If you choose a layout that doesn’t compliment your site, you may lose a lot of square footage. There are square ADUs, L-shaped and I-shaped ADUs, ADUs with two stories, and many other house plans designed to fit the specific lot, given that there are other existing structures on it or other limitations pertinent to it.

Custom ADU House Plans

It’s essential to learn the specific needs of your property to pick an ideal floor plan. For example, if you live on an island (coastal area), you may need to build a raised-foundation home from materials resistant to salt and moisture. It will also be good if the house plan includes large windows so that you can maximize scenic views and exposure to sunlight. On the other hand, if you own a sloped-area ADU, house plans like split-level layouts will be more fitting for the site conditions. Similarly, corner lot ADU home plans may require dual entrances or strategic locations of windows to ensure privacy.

To sum up, the particular choice for ADU house plans depends on numerous factors, starting with your privacy needs, available space on the land, and unique site conditions. When you choose a floor plan for your ADU within 800 sq. ft., keep in mind your property characteristics while ensuring compliance with local regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ

Can I build an 800-square-foot ADU under California law?

The permissible ADU size in California is from 150 sq. ft. to 1000 or 1200 sq. ft., depending on a particular jurisdiction. Thus, if you have enough space on your land near your main home, you can build an 800-square-foot ADU in your backyard area or convert an existing structure into it. For instance, if you no longer have a car and do not need it for parking, you can create an ADU garage conversion.

What are the side and rear setbacks for ADU homes in Sacramento, California?

The usual side and rear setback requirement for ADUs in Sacramento is 4 ft., which means you have to position your ADU at least 4 ft. from the property lines. It’s always advisable to maintain a larger distance in case you make a mistake in your calculations, or there are any land conditions that you don’t know about.

Can I build a 2-bedroom ADU with an area of 800 sq. ft.?

Indeed, an ADU with a size of 800 sq. ft. can have two bedrooms. While the total habitable area of the ADU is relatively compact, with a proper layout and space-saving features, it’s quite possible to incorporate two bedrooms into such a footprint. This way, you may use a lofted sleeping area or a convertible one instead of a traditional large bedroom.

How much is a 1-bedroom and 1-bathroom ADU if it’s as large as 800 sq. ft.?

If you opt for standard construction and basic finishes, you may build such an ADu for around $160,000 to $180,000. However, there are many factors that influence the price of an ADU home. This way, all the amenities, quality finishes, and elaborate design of your ADU may make it as costly as $200,000–$250,000.