PLANNING YOUR ATTACHED OR CONVERSION ADU PROJECT

In this Todd Talk, Todd takes your through state law requirements for attached and conversion ADUs. In addition, he touches on multi-family ADUs. If you own a small or large apartment building, the multi-family ADU content is for you.

Q: What’s the difference between a junior, attached and conversion ADU?

A: These are all non-free standing ADUs. The attached ADU or conversion ADU is associated with the house itself. They are not the granny flats in the backyard.

A junior ADU or JADU is less than 500 square feet and is always attached to the main house or to an existing ADU, or it is located within the main house.

An attached ADU is attached to house with a maximum size of 1200 square fee. You are limited to no more than 50% of the square footage of the main house.

A conversion ADU can be 850 sq. ft. for one bedroom, 1000 sq. ft. for two bedroom. You can take over an attached garage or build it anywhere in the house.

Q: What is a conversion and an attached junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU)?

A: A junior ADU is always attached to the main house or to an existing ADU, or it is located within the main house. Regardless of where it is located, it can be a maximum size of 500 sq. ft. with no limitation on that maximum size relative to the size of the house.

Q: What is a multi-family ADU?

A: If you have a multi-family apartment building, you can dig out the crawl space and put in a conversion ADU. Or you can put a conversation ADU into the attic. You can add windows and roof windows but you cannot alter the envelope of the building. A conversion ADU can be 850 sq. ft. for one bedroom, 1000 for two bedrooms. You can build maximum 25% of the existing units (25 units? 5 ADUs)

If you are building de-attached ADUs, you can build up to two ADUs on the property. The maximum size is 1200 sq. ft. with same setbacks and height constraints as other standard ADUs.

Check out the full Todd Talk here and email us or call us for a project consultation.