Accessory Dwellings
A one-stop source about accessory dwelling units, multigenerational homes, laneway houses, ADUs, granny flats, in-law units…
Getting started
- Brainstorm project goals and scope with funders/partners
- Talk to municipal zoning office about the project to determine feasibility; try to uncover any major regulatory design/cost obstacles that you’ll have to overcome
- Rough sketch some ideas and think through your top design objectives with funders/partners
- Identify architects, builders and sub contractors (ideally, you want to have identified a general contractor, as well as your plumber, mechanical, electrical subcontractors)
- Architect and homeowner draw up schematics for consideration based on your rough sketches and your objectives
- Meet with architect, builder, and subs to talk through objectives and schematics to get their input
- Architect refines schematics with homeowner and contractors. I’d recommend having your architect develop a 3D model in Sketchup.
- Develop permit-ready drawings for zoning and building office
- Sumbit plans for permit. Pay permit fees. Go back and forth with permit office until the plans pass their planning/zoning code and building code criteria.
- Permit issued and then you can break ground
This design phase can take as little as a week, or many years. My ADU took three months to design, going back and forth with my designer through fifteen schematic drawings. 1-5 months is an average time frame for this phase.
My advice: Take your time with the design. Go back and forth with your designer and your builder, and make sure you’re very happy with every detail of the design. Build a 3D model: your ADU will look a lot like your 3D model, so spend some time lounging and walking around inside your 3D model. This is a huge financial investment- it is worth the extra energy up front to dial in your design before you submit it to the permitting office.
The full design phase and building phase is outlined here.
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ADU’s around the web
- What Is A Granny Flat And Should You Add One To Your Property? - House Digest
- 'Granny flats' play surprising role in easing California's housing woes - The Washington Post
- California Sees Spike in ADU Permits - Planetizen
- Expanding Your Home: Adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit - The Mortgage Reports
- Kingston launches accessory dwelling unit design competition - The Daily Freeman
- Boulder City Council approves easing accessory dwelling unit rules - Boulder Daily Camera
- Accessory dwelling units awarded Cedar Rapids city tax incentives for first time - The Gazette
- This modern, eco-friendly ADU transformed a historic L.A. home - The Washington Post
- Town of Truckee hosts accessory dwelling unit webinar - Sierra Sun
- Granny flat, affordable housing bills pass House; GOP attacks ... - The Providence Journal
Accessory Dwellings 
Any comments on adapting large sheds built and sold by locals for an ADU? Basically buying the shell with roof and exterior, and finishing off the interior yourself.