When planning your new ADU, there are several important site preparation, design, and construction considerations we bear in mind.
Your accessory dwelling unit needs to fit in with the style and look of the surrounding property and neighborhood.
This depends on whether you plan to rent your ADU or use it as a family annex. If renting in Bay Area, some tenants may require certain levels of privacy
Before making any designs, we consider how you want to use your dwelling unit and ensure enough space. If it is too small, the unit could feel restrictive, while if it is too big, it may fall foul of Bay Area ADU construction laws.
Ensuring all units have an open route to the street for accessibility and safety reasons. If you have tenants, it’s important to consider more private access routes that bypass your main home area and other accessibility features such as wheelchair ramps and handrails.
Depending on your location, Bay Area ADU construction regulations and local zoning laws will guide us through the structural design of your unit.
We take site analysis and preparation seriously to get the right type of foundation and structural quality for your unit.
Our ADUs are more spacious by considering brilliant views, windows/doors, and outdoor spaces for better living.
Style Your accessory dwelling unit needs to fit in with the style and look of the surrounding property and neighborhood.
This depends on whether you plan to rent your ADU or use it as a family annex. If renting in Bay Area, some tenants may require certain levels of privacy.
Before making any designs, we consider how you want to use your dwelling unit and ensure enough space. If it is too small, the unit could feel restrictive, while if it is too big, it may fall foul of Bay Area ADU construction laws.
Ensuring all units have an open route to the street for accessibility and safety reasons. If you have tenants, it’s important to consider more private access routes that bypass your main home area and other accessibility features such as wheelchair ramps and handrails.
Depending on your location, Bay Area ADU construction regulations and local zoning laws will guide us through the structural design of your unit.
We take site analysis and preparation seriously to get the right type of foundation and structural quality for your unit.
Our ADUs are more spacious by considering brilliant views, windows/doors, and outdoor spaces for better living.
As your Bay Area ADU construction contractor, DevArt8 Builders will help you plan, design, and build any of the four main types of accessory dwelling units.
Also called granny flats, backyard cottages, laneway houses, or DADUs, detached ADUs are standalone structures separate from the main home. They can be built in the backyard, on the side of the house, or even above a garage.
As separate units, they will require adequate room for construction, new utility lines and meet certain parking regulations in Bay Area. They offer the most privacy and independence for occupants and are ideal for those looking for a separate living space.
In terms of value, an attached ADU is the second most valuable type of ADU in Bay Area because it is connected to your existing home but with less privacy than the detached option.
Structurally, it is a simple living unit connected to the main home, either through a shared wall or a connecting hallway. It is a good option to keep a close connection with your family while letting them have their own space.
As per ADU construction regulations in Bay Area, attached ADUs may have shared or separate utilities but must have distinct living areas.
Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are smaller than traditional ADUs, less than 500 square feet in area. We often add them onto your main home and design them to provide a cohesive look to your property. JADUs can be attached or detached, depending on your preferences and local zoning regulations.
Regarding Bay Area ADU zoning and permitting laws, JADUs may have different requirements in different residential areas, such as limiting the size of the unit or requiring a certain distance from the main home.
As your Bay Area ADU construction contractor, DevArt8 Builders will help you plan, design, and build any of the four main types of accessory dwelling units.
Only one ADU is allowed per primary dwelling. ADUs are allowed in single-family residential areas and on any lot with a permitted single-family home in a multi-family residential area.
Lots under 8,500 sq. ft. require ADUs of about 275 - 640 sq. ft. with a maximum of one bedroom. Lots over 8,500 sq. ft. can have ADUs up to 800 sq. ft. with a max of two bedrooms. ADUs converted from existing single-family homes can't be larger than 25% of the main structure.
ADUs must comply with the same setbacks as the main dwelling, except if above a detached garage. Detached ADUs must be located at least 10 feet from the main dwelling. When above a detached garage, ADUs must have a 5-foot setback from interior side yards, a 5-foot rear yard setback, and a 20-foot street side yard setback on corner lots.
Detached accessory units must be one-story and not exceed 12 feet in height unless a higher-pitch roof is required to match the main dwelling. When located above a detached garage, the height should not go beyond 30 feet.