How to Get a Separate Mailing Address for ADU

Accessory dwelling units, or so-called granny flats, are small auxiliary units built on the same parcel as your main residence. You can build an additional dwelling unit adjacent to your main house, separate from it, or convert an existing structure on your lot into a functional ADU.

Many homeowners opt to add these small homes to their property for rent or create more living space for extended family members beyond their primary home. In any case, it may be unclear if the new unit needs its own separate mailing address or not.

In this article, we’ll explore in what cases granny flats need new addresses and when you can just use the address of the main home, as well as how exactly you obtain a new address.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Under Current Address

In many cases, your ADU in Sacramento, CA, doesn’t have to have a distinct address. When an ADU is on the same property as the primary residence and lacks separate access from the street and separate utilities, the same address for both units doesn’t interfere with smooth mail delivery or efficient access to emergency services.

The permitting process for an accessory dwelling unit that shares the same address as the main house is relatively easy. It involves the following stages:

1. Acquainting yourself with Sacramento regulations and local city ordinances;
2. Preparing a thorough site plan, home renovation blueprints, or backyard landscaping designs;
3. Submitting them to the Planning Department of your city;
4. Getting your property inspected (roughly 12–14 city inspections).

During inspections, the officials check out your ADU’s components, such as the foundation, framing, and overall design, to ensure they meet the mandated safety standards and are structurally sound. This may also entail examining proper wiring, plumbing, HVAC system configurations, lighting and electrical fixtures, and adherence to safety protocols. Basically, the inspection covers all elements of the ADU structure before getting it approved for living.

Due to the bureaucratic procedures involved, the permitting process might take several weeks to several months, based on the project complexity and the workload of the departments. But although it may take a while to ensure compliance with the laws and all building standards, in many cases, you may be sure that your property is secure.

Separate Address ADU

It’s not unusual for ADUs to share addresses with the main house, but in this case, when is a separate address necessary?

There are a few instances in which an ADU should have its own address, including:

• Mail and Delivery

An ADU with its own address is easily identifiable. A separate mailing address allows the residents of a separate living space (especially if it’s a detached unit) to have their own mailbox and separate their mail from that of the property owner. It prevents confusion for post office services and courier companies.

• Access and Clear Location for Emergencies

In case of emergency, a separate address for an ADU ensures faster and easier arrival of emergency services, when each minute may be crucial for lifesaving.

• Utility Bills

When you need to meter your utilities, such as electricity, gas, or water, separately, utility companies may do it accurately only if your main residence and ADU have their own distinct addresses. Monitoring individual utility usage for both the main residence and the ADU may pose a challenge in the opposite scenario, which is troublesome if you aim to reduce consumption and expanses.

• Rental Unit

If you own a detached ADU for rental purposes, in most cases, addressing it separately will lead to higher demand. That’s because a person seeking independent living space will see that the unit is autonomous and does not require too frequent contact with the owner of the property for any minor reason.

• Compliance with the Law

Some jurisdictions mandate ADUs to have separate addresses. For instance, if your ADU has an independent driveway leading to it. This helps to identify and regulate subject property in a particular area. Without adhering to this requirement, you will be unable to obtain a building permit.

• Increasing Property Value

Want to increase the market price of your property? The ADU with a separate address assigned to it trades as more prosperous as it offers more privacy and independence to tenants, raising its value in the eyes of buyers.

We have established plenty of reasons to separate main homes and ADUs within properties. Next, we will discuss the process of acquiring a new address for your secondary unit.

New Address for ADU

In order to distinguish it from the main house located on the same land, you’ll most likely receive a fractional number address (½). To obtain such an assigned number and expand your existing primary address, you typically contact either the Sacramento County Addressing Division or the local post office.

Then, proceed with the following steps:

1. When sending a request, provide full information about the ADU, like its current address and a detailed description relevant to its development. The data should articulate the intended use of the ADU, the nature of the construction, the ADU’s square footage, design features that are part of the ADU, amenities, utilities, separate entrances, etc.
2. Fill out a submission form in person at the Sacramento County Addressing Division office or through their official website. The same works for the local post office.
3. The same as with getting your ADU permitted, you can attach any relevant documentation to support your request: floor plans, building permits, etc. When you file them together, the chances of approval increase because the documents prove the necessity of a distinct address.
4. After the division or a local post office assigns a fractional addition to your address (½), you can use the new address for separate mail delivery or parcel delivery, install another mailbox, and separate bills from using utilities.

The whole process of adding an independent address may present a challenge to homeowners who want to add another specified address to their main one. However, a professional ADU builder can provide assistance in addressing these challenges and obtaining a new address without much trouble.

Issues When You Get a New Address for ADU

Certainly, one of the key considerations when adding a secondary unit to your property is the potential issue of unpermitted work. When seeking a different address for an ADU, it’s essential to showcase full compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. By applying for a new address, you increase the visibility of your ADU, so if something does not correspond to building rules and regulations, the public authorities will easily find out.

Thus, engaging in unpermitted work (whether accidentally or intentionally) may potentially give rise to serious complications such as fines or the forced removal of structures. The Department of Regional Planning has the right to enforce these penalties in cases of non-compliance.

Another aspect of ADU building is the increase in taxes. We mentioned that adding an ADU unit to your property may result in a rise in property value. However, it may also lead to a higher property tax assessment. The same as with unpermitted construction, when you apply for an independent address, you increase your ADU’s visibility to public authorities, which can result in property reassessment.

With that in mind, whether you’re the owner of single-family or multifamily properties, before building an ADU, you need to weigh the pros and cons. The same goes for obtaining a new address. If you have any doubts, consult your trustworthy ADU contractor in Sacramento, California!

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ

Can an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) have a separate address?

Yes, an ADU can have its own address, especially if it’s an ADU rental unit. In this situation, the tenants enjoy an extra level of convenience when they don’t need to share mailboxes with the main home’s residents, and the United States Postal Service mixes up their parcels way more rarely than if the addresses were the same.

How do I add a second address to a house?

To obtain a second address, you need to consult with local authorities about the requirements and procedure. Then, you submit an application, complying with local rules and regulations. The addressing authority should admit that your ADU has a separate entrance and facilities for separate living, confirming the need for a legal separation. If everything is right, you’ll receive an address assignment.

How do you establish a mailing address?

To do so, you have to reach out to the post office closest to you. Next, you submit an application for a renewed mailing address, wait for verification and approval from the authorities. Then, you need to change the address in all records where you stated your old one to reflect this renewal (e.g., utility providers, financial institutions, etc.).

Does an attached ADU or converted attached garage ADU need a distinct address?

In Sacramento, California, an attached ADU or attached ADU conversion may need or may not need separate addresses, depending on local rules and your unique property needs. Since many attached ADUs share utilities or other essential services with the main house, they may not need an independent address. If it’s more of an extension than a separate dwelling unit intended for rent, there’s no point in the procedure.