FAQs

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are additional homes built on existing single or multifamily residential properties. They’re also known as backyard homes, guest houses, casitas, mother- in-law units, and granny flats. There are many different types of ADUs, including both separate structures located in a back or side yard (detached) and conversions of existing spaces such as basements, attics, and garages (attached). MyADU4Less specializes in Detached ADUs.

In 2020 and 2021, new laws were passed making it easier for Californians to build ADUs. Major changes to zoning regulations, permit requirements, and developmental standards went into effect making it easier and faster and cheaper to build an ADU on your property.

On most single family residential lots you can build one detached ADU and one junior ADU (a unit no more than 500 square feet located within the home). If you live on a multifamily lot you may be able to build two detached ADUs .

Majority of ADU projects can be finished in 12 months – but there are many variables – including how fast you choose your floor plan with finishes and material availability. Covid is still wreaking havoc on construction industry with labor and material shortages.

We are prefabricated construction specialists. Our ADUs are built in a factory to ANSI – American National building code (Tiny Homes), Federal/HUD building code (Manufactured Home) or CBC/Local Building code (MyADU4Less Home). We choose to build prefabricated construction as we have more control over time line and quality of construction. Also prefabricated construction is less disruptive to residents of home and neighborhood as our time onsite is minimal.

Yes – prefabricated homes (Manufactured and Modular) are a style of construction and cannot be denied by your city.

We recommend ordering your home while we are still in permit phase to shorten overall built time.

According to new state laws, an additional parking spot is not needed if the ADU is located within a half mile of a public bus stop or rail station; is on a street that requires on-street parking permits but the permit has not been offered to the occupant of the ADU; or is located within one block of a public car-share program. If you do not meet this requirement – we will need to show a space on your lot for a ADU parking and this can be on existing driveway as a tandem space .

In most cases setbacks in rear and side yards have been reduced to 4 feet. Setback from primary home to the ADU varies by city and is typically between 5’-10’.

No. The new state regulations specifically prohibit HOAs from interfering with ADU construction.

Most cities will assign a separate address for the ADU

The primary home will not be reassessed—ADUs do not trigger Prop 13. Typically your property tax will be recalculated based on a blended assessment, which will increase your annual property tax by about 1 percent of the value of the ADU.

Once you have chosen your ADU model – we will provide a contract and a payment schedule for that model.

We offer all-inclusive pricing for standard sites. If your lot has special circumstances (hillside, sewer pumps, septic, crane etc) we determine any additional fees charges for extra site work, upgrades, etc. with you upfront so you know your full cost to build an ADU.