Everything You Need To Know About Building An ADU On Your Property

If you're thinking about adding a second unit to your property, this post is for you. ADUs (also known as "accessory dwelling units" are becoming more and more popular in the United States because they provide affordable housing options, increase property values, and can be rented out for profit. But before you get too excited about the prospect of building your little apartment on your lot, there are some things you should know first! This blog post will cover everything you need to know about ADUs.

What is an ADU, and how does it work

An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is a second home on your property that provides additional living space. They're usually built as an attached garage, basement apartment (a "granny flat"), guest house or backyard cottage. There are many different types of ADUs;

• Interior- Within the same home, an ADU is a second living space such as a basement apartment.

• Exterior- On the property of the main house, but detached from it (a garage or guest house)

• Off-site- The most common type, where the ADU can be built on another lot entirely and rented out to generate income for you.

ADU is a popular trend because it provides affordable living options, increased property values and a potential source of income! Also, because of the pandemic of housing shortages and escalating rental prices, ADUs are becoming quite common in the United States.

Why build an ADU on your property

Having an ADU on your property can be an excellent solution for many reasons.

• It provides an affordable living option for those who are unable to afford rent in the area or as a supplemental income source if you're renting out the ADU on AirBnB, VRBO or other similar services.

• Increases property value because of increased space (many people prefer larger homes), and when it comes time to sell your home, most buyers look at how much square footage you have available!

• Provides additional tax deductions through depreciation that will save money on taxes over time!

An ADU is not just affordable housing but also a potential source of income. It's so easy now with sites like Airbnb, where people travel all around and need a place to stay!

What are the benefits of building an ADU?

While creating an ADU may seem like a lot of work, there are many benefits to building one on your property. Here are five reasons that you might want to consider an ADU as a way to add on:

Increase Property Value

ADU's are a wise investment. Adding an ADU to your property can significantly increase the value of it, and in turn, make you a lot more money on the sale!

Affordable Housing

The cost for an ADU is typically much lower than constructing an entire home from scratch. This allows families with limited means to get into their place without worrying about high costs.

Keep Your Family Together

ADUs provide an affordable option for families to live close together. If you have a parent who needs help living independently but wants the independence of living in their own home, building an accessory dwelling unit could be the perfect solution!

Rent Out For Profit

Building and renting out your new ADU is another excellent way to make money off of it. The cost associated with rent can vary depending on location, size/amenities offered, etc. Still, there are also plenty of landlords who provide cashback or discounts as incentives for signing up with them first.

How to find out if you can build an ADU on your property

To see if you are eligible to build an ADU on your property, you will need to check with your city or state laws. There is no limit for how many units a person can have per lot, but some municipalities do not allow more than one unit if it shares walls with another home on that same lot (such as apartments).

In many cases, you can build an ADU without getting a special permit, but if it's attached to the main house, you'll need a building permit. Some localities may require lot size or setback requirements as well, and some municipalities will only allow detached units on properties that are larger than one acre.

Planning tips for building a successful addition to your home

To get started, you'll want to sketch out a floor plan for your ADU, and you can also hire a draftsperson to help you with the design and construction. Keep in mind that the unit should have its own kitchen and bathroom but share some of the main house's living space (such as an entryway or garage). You may even consider building your new addition on top of an existing detached garage, so you don't need to worry about land costs.

The next step is important: find out what zoning laws apply where you live so that you know if there are any limitations on how many units can be built per lot or whether certain areas allow it at all! Many cities keep track of availability in your city or state. There is no limit for how many units a person can have per lot, but some municipalities do not allow ADUs to be built in residential zones or within a certain distance of schools, parks and other dwellings.

Build an ADU on your property if you have space for it! It's a great way to increase income without moving out of your current home and providing renters with affordable housing options that are often difficult to find these days.

FAQs about Building An ADU On Your Proper

Regardless of whether or not you are permitted to build an ADU on your property, there's a lot that goes into the process of building one.

Do I have enough space?

An ADU needs approximately 300 square feet of open space to be constructed. This is usually achieved by having either two lots (the main house and an apartment) or just one large lot, including various common spaces like courtyards and gardens. The exact size might vary depending on where you live, but this should give you a general idea about what will work best for most people's properties.

What type of permit do I need?

Building an ADU on your property will require a permit from the city or town in which you live. The first step is to call the zoning office of that jurisdiction and determine what type of permit is required for ADUs.

How much does it cost?

The price can vary depending on where you're building and what type of permit you need, but on average, it can cost anywhere from $50,000 to as much as $200,000.

What do I need before starting construction?

To start the process, you'll need the zoning permit from your local jurisdiction. You will also need to submit plans to the building and fire departments for approval, which may take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on how busy they are. In some areas of California where there is an affordable housing shortage, and ADUs have been legalized by state law (such as San Francisco), builders can bypass this step in order to save time for both themselves and their clients.

What kind of houses qualify?

Most homes built before 1978 should be qualified, but if you're not sure about your property's age or what type of house it is, then ask someone who works at the local town hall - the chances are that person would know!

How long does construction take?

Typically, it takes about a month for everything to be completed and ready for tenants. That includes the three-week wait time before you can get your occupancy permit drafted with the city or county's approval.

Hire a Professional Now!

Hire an architect or draftsperson to help you with your drawings and plans. It's worth the investment because an experienced professional will know all of the necessary information about how local regulations affect ADUs, as well as what kind of materials are required for a safe and structurally sound building.

The last thing you want is to get halfway through construction before realizing that a tiny omission would have resulted in disaster!