San Diego is experiencing a significant increase in the popularity of auxiliary dwelling units, sometimes known as “ADUs,” “granny flats,” “companion apartments,” or “in-law suites,” due to eased laws and the abolition of user fees. If there is a separate entrance and San Diego County ADU and a few basic facilities, these living quarters may be joined or separated from your primary residence.
But what are the advantages of constructing a granny flat in San Diego? There are advantages and downsides to consider before establishing an in-law suite, as with any home renovation project. Still, there are a few highly compelling reasons why you should consider building an auxiliary housing unit in San Diego.
ADU Planning, Design, And Construction In San Diego
ADU Planning
When you’ve determined that adding an ADU to your property is the best option, examine whether you want to construct an altogether new structure from the ground up or whether you’d instead renovate an existing dwelling unit or other structure. There are several methods to take advantage of new rules and increase the value of your home for decades to come.
But, before you start shopping for drapes and cupboards, let’s go over the fundamentals. The first primary choice is the sort of ADU installed on your land. San Diego County ADU is classified into four types:
• Attached
• Detached
• Repurposed Existing
• Junior ADU
ADU Design And Construction
Hiring an Architect vs. a Design-Build Company
As you learn more about creating a granny flat in San Diego, you may decide that hiring a professional is the best option for you. But how should you choose a professional? You may take the easy path and engage an architect to design the blueprints, hire a contractor to complete the construction, and hire a designer to put the finishing touches on the inside. Alternatively, you may save time, worry, and the added burden of managing many contractors by employing a design-build business that does everything in-house.
ADU Zoning And Regulations In San Diego
It is essential to verify with the City before constructing on the property. Furthermore, it must be free of code breaches to receive a permit for a lot. Here are a few more facts to consider:
• San Diego ADUs are always rentable, although they cannot be sold independently from the principal residence in most situations.
• ADUs are only obliged to have a fire sprinkler system if the main home does.
• Unless you reside in San Diego County ADU, owner-occupancy isn’t required for renting either leading houses or ADUs. • Existing buildings converted to Companion Units aren’t subject to water or sewer rates if they have the appropriate meter size.
San Diego ADU Prices, Fees, And Financing
Costs of designing and building an ADU in San Diego
• Small ADU: ($150,000 to $250,000) (200 – 600 sq.ft.)
• Large ADU: ($250,000 to $350,000) (600 – 1,200 SqFt.)
Aside from the design and construction expenses of a companion unit in San Diego, the city levies several fees and taxes that might vary from year to year. The city demands the following fees for accessory housing units in the fiscal year 2021-2022:
Last Words
Each of these fees has an essential cost plus an extra cost based on the size of your San Diego County ADU. For example, if your granny flat is 500 square feet, you will pay $165 in addition to the $1,565 base price for a plan review and $215 in addition to the $1,287 base charge for the permit. As a result, you will be charged 0.33 cents per square foot more for a plan review and 0.43 cents per square foot more for the permit itself.