THINKING ABOUT AN ADU?

HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUILD

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An ADU, or Accessory Dwelling Unit, can be a great way to extend your living space or create a space for extended family, guests, or renters.

ADU BENEFITS

  • Affordable

  • Can provide a source of income

  • Make better use of underutilized space (garages, etc.)

  • Allows extended family to stay close, yet independent

  • Increase availability of affordable housing in town which can reduce commuting and greenhouse gas emissions

STATE ADU/JADU STANDARDS

  • ADUs are also known as AKA granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, secondary units

  • There is a detached limit of 1,200 SF or 50% of primary residence living area

  • Can be attached, detached, or a repurposed existing structure

  • Junior ADU is defined as being part of the existing building footprint (ie., garage ADU) and is under 500 SF

  • You can have one of each on a single-family zoned property

PARKING REQUIREMENTS AND SETBACKS

One parking space per unit or bedroom (whichever is less) if you are located more than one half mile from public transit

  • ADUs do not require parking if they are created within an existing space in the home or an accessory structure, like an existing detached garage

  • Setbacks: 4’ from side and rear property lines

  • You can demolish an existing structure and replace its footprint with an ADU to retain existing setbacks

  • Cities must provide approval or denial of ADUs within 60 days of receiving the application (prior rule was 120 days)

  • HOA’s cannot prohibit development of ADUs or JADUs

  • Impact fees typically range from $2,000-$7,000

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CITY OF SANTA BARBARA ADU/JADU SUBMITTAL PROCESS

Pre-application (optional) – Preliminary plan check for zoning compliance; will outline any zoning concerns for the project.

- Review time = 30-45 days

- Pre-application form and (1) set of plans and color photos submitted to Planning Counter

- Preliminary Plan Check fee (half of the applicable Zoning Plan Check fee)

Coastal Review – If the property is in the Coastal Zone, the application must include a Coastal Act approval. Check with Planning Counter to discuss the appropriate level of coastal review required for project

- ADU – requires Coastal Exemption/Exclusion or Coastal Development Permit These conditions mean it costs more than normal from an architect standpoint as well as a fees standpoint, and takes about 4 months

- JADU – may not be considered “development” under the Coastal Act and may not require additional coastal review

Design Review – NOT required for an ADU/JADU that meets all criteria and standards stablished by State law, however, it may be required for unrelated work to the site or primary residence

- If any work to the primary residential unit requires design review, homeowner must submit Design Review Application to the Planning Counter

Building Permit – Required for all ADU/JADU submittals

- Complete Application, ADU/JADU Worksheet, and additional items

- Combined Permits

o May require abatement of existing code violations on the property

o For lot without primary residence: permit for primary residence must be issued first or concurrently with ADU permit

Interim Urgency Ordinance - Temporarily prohibits ADU/JADU development in High Fire Hazard Zones and on properties containing or immediately adjacent to identified historical resources if the ADU might significantly change the historic resource.

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF OUR ADU PROJECTS

 
 

TAKE A TOUR OF THIS ADU / GUEST HOUSE ON THE MESA IN SANTA BARBARA

Architect Partner: Thompson Naylor Architects