Have you ever considered making extra income from your property but don’t have an apartment or spare flat to rent out? No problem! Your garage or backyard could be the perfect solution.
With Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) gaining popularity in Santa Barbara, many homeowners are unlocking new rental income opportunities—and you can too!
As per the local news publisher, Noozhawk, Santa Barabara County added 290 housing units in 2024, including 125 ADUs. With 4,142 new dwellings expected by 2031, ADU construction is booming in the County.
But before we discuss anything, you might be thinking; what is an ADU? Where can it be built? And what are the permit requirements for building ADU in Santa Barbara County?
If you have these and other questions about the ADUs, you have come to the right place. This blog will cover everything you need to know.
What Is An Accessory Dwelling Unit?
An ADU is a secondary housing unit built on the same property as the primary home. It can be attached or detached to the main home with an independent kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom space. An ADU can be created by converting an existing structure, like a garage, or constructing a new segment in the backyard.
Accessory dwelling units offer affordable housing options for multiple purposes, such as rentals, housing for family members, or guest houses. ADU construction is very popular in Santa Barabara County, CA, due to the housing shortage and high demand for affordable and small-family homes.
| Fun fact: ADUs go by various names, such as granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, secondary units, etc. |
The Types Of ADUs Popular In Santa Barbara:
Detached ADU:
A detached ADU is a separate structure from the main home and offers privacy and independence. These structures are mainly built in backyards away from the primary homes.
Area Requirements: 850 sq. ft. to 1,200 sq. ft. (rest depends on the zoning regulations)
Attached ADU:
An attached dwelling unit is an addition to the existing home. It is built by expanding the primary home from any side while sharing at least one wall with it.
Area requirements: An Attached ADU can be as large as 1200sq. Ft. or 50% of the primary floor area, whichever is smaller.
Interior conversion ADU:
An interior conversion ADU is created by converting an existing space like an attic, room, or basement into a self-contained unit. Here are its two main types:
- Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU):
A smaller unit of around 500 sq ft, with an independent bedroom and kitchen but a shared bathroom with the main home.
- Basements conversions:
A basement ADU is created by an underutilized basement as a functional living space. Area requirements can vary depending on the space available.
Garage Conversions:
Another popular type of ADU is constructed by converting an existing garage into a living space. If the owner wants to use the existing garage, they can construct a vertical structure above the garage as a liveable unit without using any of the yard space.
Area requirements: 800 sq.( Mostly limited to the size of the existing garage)
Why Construct An ADU In Your Santa Barabra Home?
ADUs are really versatile and can be used for multiple purposes. Here are some reasons to go for ADU Construction in Santa Barbara County:
- Rental income:
The Santa Barbara area has limited rental housing availability for students, singles, and small families who need affordable housing options. Therefore, you can build an ADU and generate good rental income.
| You must know: The average ADU in Santa Barbara rents for $2,675 per month. |
- Housing the family members:
Another good reason to construct an ADU is to provide a private space to aging parents, adult children, or relatives.
- Extra Guest space:
You can host overnight guests and visitor stays in ADU without disrupting your main home.
- Home office Or studio:
An ADU can provide a separate office space or studio where you can work quietly and creatively.
- Downsizing option:
Singles and small families with big homes can move to the ADU and rent the main home for a higher income.
- Increasing the property value:
Having an ADU on the property also increases its resale value. The buyer looks at ADU as an income source or as an extra space for kids or guests, pushing the market value of your home up by 10 to 25%.
ADU Regulations In Santa Barabara County:
| Aspect | Details |
| Permits Required | Yes, permits are required for ADU construction. You’ll need to apply for building permits and, in some cases, planning permits. |
| Size/Area Limitations | Minimum Size: 150 sq ft (Efficiency Unit), 220 sq ft (Studio), 400 sq ft (Other units)Maximum Size: Detached ADUs: 1,200 sq ft (for larger lots). Attached ADUs: 50% of the primary home’s floor area, up to 1,200 sq ft. |
| Owner Occupancy | Not required for new ADUs as of 2020 For Junior ADUs (JADUs), the property owner must live there. |
| Zoning and Setbacks | Zoning: ADUs are only allowed in residential-use zones.Setbacks: Around 4 feet from the rear and side property lines. 20 feet from the front (for detached units). |
| Parking Requirements | JADUs and conversion ADUs don’t need parking. For detached and attached ADUs, one parking space might be needed. |
| Hillside Areas | ADUs in hillside areas usually have stricter design and construction standards like limits on height and building materials due to fire risk and terrain. |
| Number of ADUs Allowed | Generally, one or two ADUs are allowed in single-family homes. Rest, the number may vary based on the size and type of ADU. |
ADU In Santa Barbara: Construction Process:
The construction process of ADU in Santa Barbara involves the following steps:
Planning: Find an ADU contractor in Santa Barbara and communicate the feasibility of ADU construction on your property.
Design: Work with the contractor and choose a design for your project. You can use one of their existing ADU designs or go for a custom design.
Permitting: Next, you will need to submit plans, pay fees and wait for approval by Santa Barbara County’s Planning Department. In most cases, your contractor will handle the paperwork and apply for the permissions.
Construction: Once the designs are approved, your contractor will start the construction, which may take around 2 to 4 months for completion.
Inspection: After the ADU is constructed, it may have to pass the final county inspection for occupancy.
Conclusion:
It’s clear that ADUs in Santa Barbara are a fantastic way to earn rental income or enhance your property. Whether you’re looking to earn $1,500 to $2,500 a month or create a comfortable space for guests or family, an ADU can meet all your needs.
So, why wait? Transform your backyard, spare basement, or garage into something incredible. Connect with a local ADU contractor today to check your property’s eligibility and explore conversion or construction options!
FAQ:
Q1 How long does it take to build an ADU?
It can take around 2 to 4 months or more to construct an ADU.
Q2 How ADU and JADU are differnt?
ADUs are fully independent, and JADUs are small utilities that are shared within the existing home.
Q3 Can you rent ADU for the short term like Airbnb?
No, rentals must be for more than 31 days as per the county rules.
Q4 Can you build multiple ADUs on your property?
Yes, Senate Bill 1211 allows multiple ADUs on the property.
