What is an ADU Apartment

Accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, are some of the most affordable housing options. These secondary suites provide a compact living area on the existing lot, allowing property owners to accommodate guests or earn rental income. For ADU development in Sacramento, California, you can contact the A+ company to receive elaborated plans and high-quality execution of your dream accessory dwelling unit.

Understanding Accessory Dwelling Units

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a separate living space on the existing property with a primary residence. You might have heard other names of accessory dwelling units, as they are common among homeowners nationwide. People often call these tiny homes backyard cottages, granny flats, or in-law units. As part of internal ADUs, a basement apartment also belongs to accessory housing options.

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) usually have a separate entrance, which divides it from the main single-family home. There are specific ADU regulations that one must follow to build an accessory apartment in addition to the existing house. Constructing an accessory dwelling unit will affect your property taxes. However, it will also increase the existing infrastructure’s overall value and give you a source of additional income.

Accessory apartments bring lots of benefits to homeowners in many cities. Read further and learn what kind of ADUs you can pick from and what advantages they will give you as a property owner.

Accessory Structure Types

If you and your family plan to put up an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on your property, you have a great choice of ADU construction types to pick from. Depending on the position of the existing structure, the size of your lot, and your financing options, you can opt for the most suitable ADU for your home.

Here are the main ADU kinds that you can build in Sacramento:

• Detached ADUs

A detached ADU stands separately from the main house and resembles a tiny home. Such a housing unit has its entrance. While constructing detached ADUs, you should be especially careful with the zoning codes, as the positioning of this living space on the property will highly depend on them.

• Attached ADUs

Attached ADUs are also regulated by ADU codes. The only difference is that they share at least one wall with the primary housing, decreasing the variety of placement options. Despite being attached to your main home, these kinds of ADUs require a separate entryway as well.

1. Garage conversion ADUs

A garage conversion can help you get rid of an unfunctional space and turn it into something more useful. A homeowner can also convert an old shed or a carriage house that is out of use.

• Junior ADUs

This kind of ADU is the smallest option, not exceeding 500 sq. ft The main difference of this living space is that you locate it within your primary housing area. You can still rent it out like any other ADU option. However, there is an owner-occupancy requirement for the main home, which does not exist for standard ADU types.

Are you wondering what ADU will best suit your property? Consult with our A+ specialists, learn about your property’s specificities, and choose the ADU option that will serve you for many years to come!

ADU Housing Advantages

What’s so good about ADUs? Well, there are plenty of benefits, no matter what aspect you consider. ADUs can boast of comprehensive functionality, how much value they add to the property, and their affordability.

Take a look at some of the benefits that owning an ADU can bring you:

• Spacious guest house

If you often house family members and friends, an ADU can be of great help. Having a guest house allows you to accommodate everyone comfortably, preserving your privacy and visitors’ privacy.

• Granny flat for the elderly

Taking care of an elderly family member is not easy. Provide constant care to your loved ones and have them reside in your ADU housing. This will not only help you keep an eye on those who need your help but also save you some monthly expenses for traveling from one house to another.

• Personal office

An in-law suite can also serve as your home office. As more and more people switch to remote working, this option becomes ideal for separating your personal life from the work routine, all within the borders of your home.

• Additional income source

Rental income can sufficiently add numbers to your family budget, especially with the housing market conditions today. You can easily rent the place if you don’t have a family member who would like to live in your ADU. As ADUs require maintenance, rental payments might also help cover these expenses.

• Greater property value

Even a converted garage can increase property value and make it more appealing on the housing market. So, if you ever plan to sell your home, you will receive more simply because of an additional structure on your lot.

People use ADUs for their grown-up children to live in, for personal gyms, home cinemas, and even creative studios. You can combine two or more purposes of your ADU and create a multi-functional space that will bring nothing but comfort and joy.

Building ADUs in Sacramento, CA

When building an ADU, you should be especially careful with the regulations that control ADU construction. While dealing with all of them might be overwhelming, experts at A+ can assist you throughout all the permitting procedures.

To have an idea of what ADU requirements consist of, go through the following list of main ADU-building rules:

1. The height should be no bigger than 16 feet;
2. An attached ADU can be no bigger than half of the primary residence size or no more significant than 1,000 sq. ft. for a two or more-bedroom unit;
3. A detached ADU cannot exceed 1,200 sq. ft. in size;
4. Side and rear property lines must be at least four feet from the ADU.

ADU Company in Your Area

To create an ADU by all the legal regulations and your own needs, contact A+ Construction & Remodeling. Our specialists have lots of experience behind their backs, as well as a broad expertise in the construction field. From detailed plans for the future structure to delivering a brand-new ADU, we will go through this challenging process together and make it as pleasant for you as possible.

Let’s create an ADU that will be functional, appealing, and beneficial for you and your family. We use only safe, high-quality materials and implement services that will make the whole process efficient. Contact A+ Construction & Remodeling today, make preliminary plans on the first consultation with our team, and watch your ADU development process begin.

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ

What does ADU stand for?

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) come in addition to the main house. ADU development presupposes the construction of an extra housing unit located on the same lot as the primary structure. Depending on the residential area, federal and local regulations impose the rules for building an ADU.

What qualifies as an ADU in California?

An ADU is a separate unit with its entrance and cannot be sold separately from the primary house. These tiny houses can be detached, attached, or junior constructions. One must build an ADU according to the zoning regulations and local ordinances.

What’s one drawback of an ADU?

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) has plenty of benefits but might increase your property taxes. However, use the living space as rental housing. You can easily cover the increased cost and receive passive income from your tiny house.

Are ADUs allowed in Sacramento?

Homeowners in Sacramento, CA, can build up to one ADU and one junior ADU on their property. Your tiny home must comply with the local government requirements, such as the maximum height and size. Sacramento officials permit ADUs no bigger than 16 feet in height and 1,000 sq. ft. in size.