A San Diego attached ADU is an apartment with a separate entrance that is attached to one side of the main home or building. It has a separate entrance and might or might not be connected to the main house by a door.
The two most common reasons for building San Diego attached ADUs are housing for family members and rental income. Over time, the family needs changes for many people. The way most houses are designed in today’s world does not reflect people’s changing needs. Maybe your parents are getting old and you need a place to live for them that’s close.
Perhaps you are looking to save money and have a friend or family member who can fill the space. Most existing houses have the space available to provide space for people who could not otherwise afford it.
Layout and design | The unit will be attached to the main building, and therefore the designs should match with the home. |
Access | The unit will have a separate entrance despite being attached to the main building. There should be no access to the ADU from inside the main building |
Utility connection | You are, however eligible to draw utility connections from inside the main building into the ADU |
You must first evaluate your requirements for living space in your house. Choose an ADU design plan that satisfies your requirements for space, functionality, and design after taking a look at your existing home and considering your needs.
An attached ADU would unquestionably be the finest choice if an ADU is needed for your elderly parents or grandparents because you can keep a close eye on them if they become ill. This guarantees quick action.
A detached unit would be the best choice, keeping your privacy in mind, if you intend to rent out the area to generate additional revenue. When constructing an attached ADU, some crucial enquiries to make are:
You need to apply for permits from the San Diego Department of Building and Safety, which gives permits and approves any building if you want to build an attached ADU on your land. The ADU design plan must adhere to all ADU building regulations and be properly certified.
You must first submit a thorough design plan to the city, together with all the necessary plans, maps, documents, and legal paperwork. If the ADU plan is deemed to be flawless, the city will issue permits following approval. You must here pay a modest or insignificant service fee. You are not required to pay the charge in some counties.
ADU permits can be obtained in as little as 90–120 days, depending on how well the design plan is written, its authenticity, and accuracy.
After obtaining the necessary permits from the city, you can start construction while adhering to all applicable building regulations.
The maximum size of an attached secondary unit on a property is controlled differently in each jurisdiction.
You are generally not allowed to construct an ADU that is bigger than half the size of your actual property in California’s cities and counties. This means that the attached ADU cannot be larger than 1,000 square feet for a 2,000-square-feet residence.
In some local jurisdictions in California, an attached secondary unit may be erected up to the height of the original residence without having to adhere to any kind of setback laws.
If your property is small, it is generally ideal to develop such an attached unit because it helps to optimize the square footage or living area.
An attached ADU in a “single-family dwelling” must fully adhere to the San Diego ADU zoning guide and meet predetermined specifications. A wall or roof must be shared by the primary dwelling and any attached structures or units.
Similarly, a door cannot be constructed on the street-facing side of an attached secondary dwelling unit. Let’s examine some more important criteria for an attached secondary unit.
150 square feet
Two (maximum limit)
same as main dwelling unit
4 ft.
4 feet
same as the main dwelling unit
If the maximum unit size restrictions are rigorously followed, it is simple to convert the garage of an existing home into an attached ADU. This may make it easier to obtain a construction permit quickly.
Your San Diego attached ADU can be designed any way you wish by ADU Construction (as long as it matches zoning requirements). With our extensive experience, our design team can help you with the construction of your attached ADU.
You need to apply for the permits before you begin any kind of work. Permits generally take a couple of weeks to about a month. Therefore, you need to plan accordingly.