Suppose you hope to add space to your property or create a new structure for your in-laws, adult child, or another family member. In that case, you are probably considering an accessory dwelling unit. ADUs have been popping up all over California, partly due to population growth and lack of space.
With the population on the rise and construction attempting to find new ways to keep up with demand, the people have taken things into their own hands. Building an ADU unit in San Francisco is common, but before you begin the process, there are multiple factors you need to consider.
Look into Guidelines & Regulations in Your County
Everything starts with checking into your state and local regulations before proceeding with the proper construction planning. California has consistently overseen and implemented laws and guidelines around accessory dwelling units, and more specifically, they have allowed these structures to be attached or added onto both single and multi-family properties. You will want to know the basics before diving into a project as big as this.
It certainly helps to have a professional contractor that can assist and support you through the initial stages of your journey. A reliable contracting company knows all the ins and outs of building ADUs, and it is their job to help you through the process. You can source your creative spark, but you don’t have to deal with all the logistics involved with take-off – doing some digging and research of your own won’t hurt the project, but when you have a team of specialists by your side – you always have a safety net to fall back on.
Decide on the Type of ADU for You
There are many ways to construct an accessory dwelling unit, and choosing the right option is the next step in building this accessory for your everyday life and home base. Are you hoping to make an attached ADU with a separate entry, or do you want a particular addition entirely? Choosing what is right for you is essential for both function, aesthetics, and practicality.
- Attached ADU, these are attached units to the primary residence and can typically be built on the side of your home. If your home has historic designations, it must be placed behind or in the rear yard area.
- Detached ADU, these additions must be 45 feet or further away from your property line and at least 6 feet from the main building. If you are building a two-story addition, you are looking at four feet. You can complete conversions or detached garages as accessory dwelling units in the San Francisco Bay Area.
- JADU, junior accessory dwelling units are much smaller than a typical addition and sit at about 500 square feet. They need to be converted within the square footage that exists within the existing single-family home. They cannot be built where there is a multi-family home or duplex.
Look into Permits You May Need
People are immediately anxious when they hear the term permit because sometimes there is a hoop or two to jump through before you can reach the intended goal. Over half of San Franciscans that have already attempted to go through the processes associated with building an accessory dwelling unit end up aggravated by permits. You have to have your plans ready to go and ensure that you submit an entire plan, along with designs suitable to your property and all regulatory requirements.
This is where having a licensed, credible contractor can come in handy. Remodeling companies and design firms know the ropes and requirements. Every step of the process is meant to promote the success of your ADU. It is vital to remain proactive and maintain an actionable plan and design to ensure that delays don’t occur. Working with a local contractor allows you to customize your designs and ensure you have the proper building permits!
Understanding the Details
People build details for different reasons; if you are building for passive income, you may wonder if there are additional guidelines around that. This is where you will want to put in a little more research. You may want to ask some of the following questions –
- Are ADUs rent controlled?
- Can you sell an accessory dwelling unit?
- Are ADUs accessible for short-term rental?
- Does my ADU need its address?
- Are all the utilities shared?
Hire Licensed, Experienced Bay Area Professionals
To secure a solid design plan and continued organization for building an accessory dwelling unit. You must also attach a licensed and insured local contractor in the San Francisco Bay area. Piecing together an addition to your property isn’t the most straightforward DIY project. Having a local general contractor will help to create a stress-free environment and a seamless planning process, so when it comes time to execute those plans – you won’t be wondering how to complete them.
Clever Design and Remodeling are the Bay Area’s best in planning, designing, building, and constructing custom accessory dwelling units. Clever Desing has a team of highly experienced professionals who are licensed and insured to walk you through creating the perfect ADU for your property. Whether you are attempting to make a little extra space for your family, increase your property value or even create a stream of passive income – no matter why you are building an ADU, choose local professionals to help ensure it is constructed right.
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