What is an ADU?

by Richard Jaramillo (RJ) on May 25th, 2022i

Richard “RJ” and wife Beth Jaramillo live in the San Diego community of Rancho Bernardo. Living in San Diego County for over 35 years, they are going through the experience of “empty nesting”, aging parents and their future retirement years.

With all these things happing in front of them, RJ & Beth decided to leave their options open with the build out of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to give them the flexibility for the future.

Granny flat, guest house, second unit, in-law suite, converted garage, apartment – accessory dwelling units (ADU) have many names. But, they are always a self-contained home equal to or smaller than the main house, and legally part of the same property.

ADUs come in many shapes and sizes, but always come with basic living needs: including a kitchen, bathroom, and place to sleep.

ADUs usually range from 220 square-foot studios to over 1,200 square foot houses with multiple bedrooms. There are many different types of ADUs, but they generally fit into these categories.

Detached

Detached ADU Free standing structure, typically in your backyard.

  • Pros: offers more privacy and a greater earning potential as an investment
  • Cons: may require more work than other ADU variations due to the construction costs for building on a new piece of land

Attached

Attached ADU Shares at least one wall with your primary house.

  • Pros: Can share dining and bathing facilities with the primary house, circumventing the need to build such amenities
  • Cons: Less privacy, tendency to be smaller

Interior

Interior ADU Built from existing converted space (i.e. attic or basement)

  • Pros: Virtually no need to build

Garage Apartment

Garage ADU

  • Pros: Can share dining and bathing facilities with the primary house, circumventing the need to build such amenities
  • Cons: Need a garage, less privacy

Above Garage

Above Garage ADU Unit built above garage.

  • Pros: Creates new space instead of converting existing space
  • Cons: Can be expensive to build a second floor where not originally intended