{"id":10400,"date":"2020-05-26T11:08:14","date_gmt":"2020-05-26T18:08:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=10400"},"modified":"2020-05-26T11:47:07","modified_gmt":"2020-05-26T18:47:07","slug":"is-an-adu-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=10400","title":{"rendered":"Is an ADU for You?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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From Santa Barbara Independent, May 14-21, 2020. Photo by Jim Bartsch.<\/p><\/div>\n

Allen Construction\u2019s\u00a0Ryan Cullinen\u00a0Discusses\u00a0Granny-Flat Rules<\/strong><\/p>\n

With people spending more time working and schooling at home these days,\u00a0adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU)<\/a> is definitely something to consider.\u00a0The process got even easier in 2020, when new California laws went into\u00a0effect to allow small second residential units on single-family lots and on multifamily\u00a0zoned lots.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are seeing a trend of more new home projects, including ADUs, as part of their\u00a0master plan,\u201d explained Ryan Cullinen<\/a>, director of pre-construction at Allen Construction<\/a>,\u00a0which has several such projects in the works. \u201cWe have not seen any dramatic changes\u00a0in demand recently, although I expect a larger demand for home offices and general\u00a0home refreshing now that so many are spending more time than ever in their homes.\u201d He\u00a0explained that the standard ADU can either be detached, attached, or repurposed existing\u00a0space in the home and can be up to 1,200 square feet in size.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost units are being designed for family or rental units with an end goal of retirement\u00a0living,\u201d he said. \u201cI find many longtime homeowners who decide to build an ADU treat it as\u00a0the miniature version of the dream house\u00a0they wish they had. This is often because\u00a0they plan to retire into it or have other family\u00a0members live in it. When you have limited\u00a0space, it forces creativity to be able to\u00a0accomplish the needs you take for granted\u00a0in your larger house.\u201d<\/p>\n

Originally known as \u201cgranny flats,\u201d\u00a0today\u2019s accessory dwelling units take different\u00a0structural forms. They can be garage\u00a0conversions, units placed over the garage,\u00a0stand-alone units, attic or basement conversions, or units otherwise attached to the main\u00a0house. They are allowed to have full kitchens and bathrooms and will not be required to\u00a0have a utility hookup separate from that of the main house. They can be rented, and most\u00a0likely will be, but cannot be sold separately from the main dwelling.<\/p>\n

The first step is to identify if it\u2019s\u00a0feasible to build an ADU within your\u00a0zoning restrictions and whether the\u00a0investment makes sense for you. \u201cAn\u00a0architect or planning specialist can\u00a0verify your zoning restrictions and\u00a0help play out a concept to get preliminary\u00a0pricing,\u201d said Cullinen. \u201cYou can\u00a0understand costs by speaking with a\u00a0contractor who has a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 building\u00a0multiple different types of ADUs.\u201d<\/p>\n

ADUs do still need to go through\u00a0Santa Barbara\u2019s design review and\u00a0permitting process. \u201cThere are many\u00a0nuances to what your structure will\u00a0be required to have, such as fire sprinklers, set-back requirements, and off-street parking,\u201d\u00a0said Cullinen. \u201cThe best thing you can do to expedite the process is get a professional with\u00a0experience involved early. This limits your chances of any delays from incomplete submittals\u00a0and keeps the building departments happy when they are very busy.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Stay at Home and Garden, special issue of SB Independent May 14, 2020.<\/p><\/div>\n

This story was originally published in the Santa Barbara Independent<\/em><\/a> on May 14, 2020. Click here<\/a> to read it as it appeared in print.<\/p>\n

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