FAQ

An ADU is an Accessory Dwelling Unit. A secondary home on a single-family residential lot. The unit can be either attached or detached from the main house. ADUs are also referred to as granny flats, backyard homes, or secondary dwelling units. 

ADU Homes is a one stop shop that  will guide you through the entire process from feasibility and product selection to design, permitting, financing and construction of your new ADU home.

Yes, California Senate Bill 9 (SB9), allows the construction and subsequent sale of an ADU through a process of subdividing your lot and/or building a new primary dwelling unit on the lot.  

Additionally because of the recently approved AB 1033 at the state level, selling your ADU may soon be possible. However, each city must choose to adopt AB 1033 meaning your city may or may not allow the sale of ADUs separately from an existing home. If adopted by your city, similar to condominiums, the houses will be on the same lot, but each owner is subject to their own property tax, utility fees, as well as the required formation of a homeowner’s association to take care of property expenses. 

A recent California ordinance provides for ADU’s throughout the state. However, zoning and specific ADU requirements vary by municipality. Minimum lot size, maximum ADU square footage, height, setbacks and other specifics vary significantly between cities. Click the here to see what is allowable in your community / city.

Many different types of lots will accommodate an ADU. You will need an open area or existing structure that can be converted to an ADU.   Our smallest pre-designed home is 18 feet wide and 18 feet deep. Click here and one of our specialist  will help you determine what type and size of ADU  can be built on your lot.

Depending on the location of your lot relative to public transportation and your municipalities regulations your garage can often be converted to an ADU.

Short answer, yes. There are some criteria that need to be met for your property to be eligible. Click here to schedule a free property analysis with one of our experts.

ADU’s can be utilized in numerous ways and provide a home for a wide range of people such as: your mother/father, grown kids, friend, caregiver.   A renter could also live in your ADU and provide you with additional income. 

Yes, an ADU can provide much needed financial benefits and flexibility. You can continue living in the primary home and rent out the ADU. Those seeking even greater rental income have chosen move into their new ADU and rent the primary home.Either way, it’s a win-win.

The time varies depending on the type of ADU being built and the size of the ADU.  A garage conversion will typically take about 2 months while new construction will take about 4 to 6 months depending on the size of the ADU. 

Our homes are not mobile or manufactured homes. All of our homes are built on site. While our homes are stick built on site, we utilize some offsite processes that improve quality control and schedule. 

We are currently building in Los Angeles and Orange counties  with plans to expand to other areas of Southern California.

To see all of our serviced areas visit our regulations page.

Is your home near one of these locations but not listed? Click the here and we will review your request and let you know if we can build an ADU in your backyard too. We are always looking to expand our service area.

A Junior ADU (JADU) is a smaller version of an ADU (limited to 500 sf) that can be built by itself, or in addition to an ADU on most properties that currently have a single family home. Carved from existing space like the attached garage or extra bedroom.

ADUs are new construction, so they will not be under rent control. However, if you move into your ADU and rent out your home, your home may be subject to rent control.