ADU Construction Santa Monica
If you're considering a building an ADU, The Sterling-Watson Collective is a great option for local ADU construction in Santa Monica. We offer a full-service, turn-key approach to projects including the provision of experienced and qualified structural engineers, architects, designers and contractors, to work on your project (please see our services page for a full list of what we can offer).
ADU Construction in Santa Monica
We are a structural engineering company at heart, that can offer a wide variety of construction, architectural, and design services for your next project. We have significant experience with ADU projects (Accessory Dwelling Units), which are small homes built on the property of an existing home which can be attached or detached from the main structure.
Santa Monica ADU Information
Do you have a yard that you feel can be doing more for you? If you have answered yes, then let us be the first to introduce you to an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and ADU construction in Santa Monica.
An ADU is your ticket to easy passive income. While ADU construction used to be challenging to negotiate, the recent signing of three California zoning Senate bills has made the process easier.
In short, you can now have an ADU or two without the red tape it would have required before 2020. Want to get started on your own ADU construction in Santa Monica?
Contact the Sterling-Watson Collection today for a consultation!
Read on to learn more about ADUs, what they are, and why you should have one in Santa Monica.
Introduction to ADUs
ADUs are residential spaces you can rent out. An ADU is “accessory” in the sense that you can build it on a parcel of your residential lot as an additional residential space.
What’s an ADU?
ADUs are residential spaces. They are separate living spaces from a home, situated on the same parcel of land as the primary residence or main house.
Different Types of ADUs
There are five different types of ADUs covered by the enacted Senate bills:
Cottage ADU: Separate and detached from the main residence
Basement ADU: Located at the basement of the main house with separate access
Attached ADU: Linked to the main house as an addition
ADU with garage: Usually two stories with the garage being the first floor
Junior ADU (JADU): Small ADUs that are 500 square feet or below
What Are the Benefits of ADUs?
Having an ADU comes with several benefits. Here’s a list of what an ADU can give you:
Passive income should you decide to rent it out long-term
An added residential space where guests of yours can stay
Higher property value
An alternative space for storage or work if there are no occupants or tenants
Why an ADU?
Building an ADU brings with it a lot of benefits (when compared to building a new property on a new lot). These benefits typically include:
They make efficient “green use” of existing infrastructure
Lower costs associated to building an ADU when compared to a new build on another lot
Will not change the existing footprint of your property, therefore no need for a variance from city planning and zoning.
ADUs have become very popular because they offer a way for people who want more space but either can't afford to move into a larger home, or love their existing home and want to increase the square footage. They're also great if you have family members that live far away and would like them closer by, without having to give up room in their own homes.
Why The Sterling-Watson Collective?
We are unique in the market, in the sense that we can offer a complete solution for all of your ADU construction needs. Our experienced team is well-positioned to help you build a new space for your family, whether it's a studio apartment, a guest house, or something else ideally suited to an ADU. Our full-service ADU construction services in Santa Monica are a proven solution for Westside residents and all of Los Angeles.
Get in touch today to discuss your ADU construction in Santa Monica needs, our experienced team is here to help.
Do You Need ADU Construction in Santa Monica? Let’s Have a Chat
You need a multidisciplinary team consisting of architects and structural engineers for an ADU building project. If you aren’t dealing with one yet, solve that problem ASAP.
For ADU construction in Santa Monica, our team at The Sterling-Watson Collection is just a call away. Give yourself an ADU that works for you. Let’s talk about your ADU building project today.
Santa Monica ADU Regulations
The following are Santa Monica’s ADU regulations as per the city’s Planning and Zoning Regulations (9.31.025). There are many stipulations in the Planning and Zoning Regulations. These are the ones that are relevant to ADU construction in Santa Monica.
ADUs must comply with the city’s Health and Safety Code.
ADUs need to be at least 220 square feet in area; JADUs can only be up to 500 square feet.
Detached or attached, the maximum floor area of a single-bedroom ADU is 850 square feet.
For ADUs with more than one bedroom, the maximum floor area is 1,000 square feet for lots smaller than 10,000 square feet (1,200 square feet for parcels or lots above 10,000 square feet).
ADUs cannot exceed 24 feet in height.
ADUs need to have separate access from the main house.
A newly constructed ADU must have one on-site parking space.
Santa Monica Housing Resources
The above stipulations comprise the tip of the iceberg as regards the rules for ADUs. For more information on ADU construction in Santa Monica, the following resources are helpful:
The City of Santa Monica’s Local Government Site
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An ADU from scratch can cost roughly about $100-$250 per square foot on average. This pricing, just like home remodeling is dictated by the materials, labor, etc.
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About $100-$250
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600 square feet is a substantial addition to a property. To build an ADU of this particular size, one should expect a cost of around $50,000 and up.