Pre-approved ADU Plans as a Perfect Way of Building an ADU

It is hard to name a novelty that has transformed the construction world more than accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in recent years. Millions of homeowners eager to transform their living property have already opted for investment in these multifaceted additions to their main houses instead of buying overpriced property in the current market. However, normally the construction of an ADU may be quite long, which is represented as a downside of such buildings.

On the contrary, we believe that this is barely a problem as one of the ways to mitigate it is using legal tricks, for example, building with the pre-approved ADU plans. Standardized ADU construction plans represent a lower-cost permit process when a construction company uses the prepared required documents without the need to issue them one more time. Indeed, one can only imagine how strongly this influences the length of the construction process.

In this article, we will elaborate on this topic, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of ADUs, and determine whether such an approach is suitable for you. Let’s dive deeper into the subject right now!

Demystifying Pre-Approved ADU Plans

Even though you may have already heard about pre-approved ADU plans, you may not completely understand what they really mean. So, every potential accessory dwelling unit requires a building plan that corresponds with the site plan and grants you permission to build on your property. To obtain such documents, your lot has to undergo review and approval by a local department, and this process can last up to several months.

Instead, with a pre-approved ADU plan, you can start building on your property faster, avoiding long months of potential bureaucratic deadlock. Pre-approved plans aim to provide all the necessary documents that comply with building codes and zoning regulations, eventually saving time and possibly rework during the permitting process. Therefore, if your city adopts these rules, it is an excellent opportunity for you to make the ADU construction process stress-free and swift.

Benefits of Pre-Approved ADU Plans, California

Under close inspection, standardized ADU construction plans are a perfect way to bring your wildest ADU ideas to life for less time, money, and energy. Here, we will take a look at the advantages that pre-approved ADU plans can boast.

The positive sides of pre-approved ADU plans manifest themselves in the following way:

• Faster Permitting

When it comes to building ADUs, time is everything. The faster you deal with the obstacles and challenges, the closer you become to the ADU. Using a site-specific plan may lead to several months of idleness on the site which is unreasonable for every property owner, hence they try to avoid it by any means. Instead, pre-approved ADU plans allow you to receive a building permit application swiftly and with no headaches.

• Reduced Costs

Another benefit of this approach is saving money on the long and tiring process of permit issuance. If you do not desire a custom plan design, a pre-approved plan can save you a significant amount of money. Moreover, by opting for it, you save yourself from potential revisions done by the local committees, as they can require additional investments.

• Peace of Mind

Even though time and money may not represent problems for you, your family would definitely like to abstain from unnecessary worries connected with document preparation and site plan review. Pre-approved ADU plans already meet the requirements, and this reduces the risk of potential delays or other complications.

All in all, pre-approved ADU plans represent a fantastic opportunity for applicants to save valuable resources during the ADU building.

How to Implement Pre-Approved ADU Plans

Nowadays, the process of using pre-approved ADU plans is rather streamlined and accessible, so let’s take a look at the steps you need to take to implement a pre-approved ADU plan.

We can divide the process into several steps:

1. First and foremost, you should talk to your local building department and make sure that using pre-approved plans is an option in your area. In California, they are allowed, so you can skip this step.
2. Visit your building contractor and check the plans they offer. Normally, they vary in scale, price, and location, so you better know what you need exactly from the building process, a detached unit, or just a bathroom renovation.
3. Despite the readiness of the plans, you can have a set of customizable features to make it look like your passion project, for example, exterior finishes or different roof styles. Choose the ones that match your main house.
4. Before the plan is implemented, you need to consider your lot size, setbacks, and already existing structures. They are the cornerstone of any ADU construction. Perhaps you may need minor plan modifications to suit your lot.
5. Finally, don’t forget about obtaining other necessary permits, like electrical or plumbing ones, as a pre-approved ADU plan does not include them. However, your contractor may provide these services altogether, so choose the right one.

All in all, after all these steps, you will get a pre-approved ADU plan that is bound to bring joy and peace to your family. Do not let the bureaucracy rip off the opportunity to enjoy constructing your ADU.

Choosing the Right Plan

Pre-approved plans are great on a number of occasions, but there are certain limitations to them. Here we will compare other options for how you can create a stress-free streamlined process of building an ADU.

Pre-Approved Plans

These are pre-designed blueprints that have undergone a review and have got approval by the authorities. This translates to a faster permitting process and reduced costs, but cannot provide unlimited flexibility in terms of customization as well as a small number of style options.

Semi-Custom Plans

This option can serve as a perfect balance between cheap, but limited pre-approved ADU plans and a custom, site-specific plan. Here, you get an opportunity to work with a pre-designed base plan that you can customize, i.g. modify the exterior or choose specific finishes. However, they will be a bit more costly because of extra design work.

Custom ADU Plans

If you understand the importance of having a fully-customized living space, you need a custom plan. They include a tailored design to fit your vision and the help of professionals to polish your ideas to perfection. On the contrary, they require expertise to ensure compliance with building codes. Hence, you need a building permit, as well as to pay plan check fees, mitigate the flood zone, and provide a floor plan.

The final choice you make here will influence the construction of an ADU, so choose wisely. However, all these options can help you create an ADU of your dreams.

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ

How do I obtain a building permit for my ADU?

Be it attached or detached accessory dwelling units, you first require a building permit application. You can submit it to the local authorities and wait for their approval. Usually, they will check the planning, your floor plan, the site plan, and the fees you have paid. However, you can avoid it if you choose a lower-cost permit process with pre-approved plans that include expedited review. After having submitted such a plan, you may expect to get permit issuance in a matter of days.

What option is best for a single-family

Accessory dwelling units come in many forms, and every case is different. However, in general, a pre-approved project is undoubtedly a better-balanced option than other plans. You submit it, pay fees to the city, and receive the approval swiftly. This allows you to start building an accessory dwelling unit right after. Keep in mind that contractors often provide the site plan, submit the project, pay fees, and obtain permits for you, so the whole planning does not take much time at all.

What are the planning essentials when it comes to ADUs?

Both an attached or detached ADU require similar simple planning steps. Before you set up the project, you have to fully understand what you need from it, what size you want, and how many rooms there will be. Next you can do the dirty work like having the documents submitted by yourself, or hire professionals, who will take care of your project and complete it swiftly. Don’t forget that to have your plan approved; it needs to be submitted to the local authorities in time.