Pre-Approved ADU Plans California: Ready to Build

Pre-approved ADU plans in California offer an effective living solution for the homeowner and ease the complexities involved in the permitting process. These ADU floor plans are designed to dramatically lower site preparation costs, optimize the living space, and get the permit approval in no time. 

In this article, we will delve deeper into pre-approved ADU plans in the Golden State. We will examine the benefits of building an ADU in California, how a pre-approved plan eases this process, and discuss features that boost the efficiency of any selected floor layout.

RenoFi is a new way to finance your ADU project. ADUs not only increase your home’s value after renovation but can also generate rental income. However, ADUs are costly. If you don’t have enough equity in your current home, funding ADU construction with a home equity loan is impossible.

For example, let’s say your current home value is $500,000, and your outstanding mortgage balance is $400,000. You are planning on adding an ADU and expect the value of your home to increase to $640,000. Your current loan-to-value ratio (LTV) is already at 80%, which means that most home equity loans are out of reach because that’s the maximum LTV they allow. So, your borrowing power using your current equity is $0.

RenoFi, on the other hand, would allow you to go as high as 150% LTV of your current value or 90% of your after renovation value, whichever is lower. So, in this example, while using a standard home equity loan results in your borrowing power being $0, a RenoFi loan allows you to borrow up to $176,000 by using the after renovation value of your home!

Get started with your RenoFi loan here

Overview of Pre-Approved ADU Plans in California

ADUs have become a popular and valuable addition to boosting property value across various states. These versatile dwelling units are increasingly popular in California and help effectively target the housing shortage problem.

Independent housing units, also called granny flats, are located on the same lot as the main property. They are multipurpose living solutions that can be used by visiting guests, aging parents, and mature children. Another possible use for these in-law suites is for short and long-term rentals to generate extra income for the homeowner. 

While an ADU is an attractive option, the building process can be complicated and requires considerable planning and capital. Factors such as site preparation, material transportation, and compliance with local zoning regulations make the ADU project a real headache for real estate owners. This is where pre-approved ADU plans come in. 

These architectural plans are designed by certified professionals and reviewed and approved by local planning departments. An authorized ADU design accelerates the permitting process and reduces the chances of minor planning errors that may cause additional time delays and charges. 

Overall, pre-approved ADU plans in California are almost 70 to 80% complete and require minimum work from the homeowner. These architectural blueprints are ideal for speeding up the ADU building procedure and ensuring compliance with local laws for affordable prices.

Benefits of Pre-Approved ADU Plans in California

Pre-approved California ADU plans are essential for homeowners searching for a cost-effective and effortless living solution. These plans are tailored to meet the most rigorous local zoning regulations to streamline the process.

That said, let’s look at the benefits that the pre-approved ADU plans bring for properties situated in California:

Time and Cost Savings

The most prominent advantage of a pre-approved ADU plan is the considerable time and money it saves to complete a project. The permitted layouts and simplified design help reduce the time otherwise spent obtaining permission from the local authority. 

In explicit cases, it can speed up the construction time by several weeks and even months. Additionally, the pre-approved plans are available at affordable prices and require the property owner to pay fewer permit fees than those paid for a custom design. Certain cities provide these plans free of cost, accounting for substantial cost savings.

Low Upfront Cost

California architects charge between 8 to 15% of the total project value to finish the ADU’s design. This significant amount must be paid upfront, which is impossible for property owners with low to moderate savings in their accounts. In contrast to this, pre-approved plans have a much lower initial cost, making the units more accessible and affordable in California.

Compliance With Regional Building Codes

A pre-approved ADU plan is designed with local building codes and safety regulations in mind. Upon completion, the plan is reviewed by regional planning and building agencies to help eliminate any potential expenses spent on a design that ends up getting rejected down the road.

Design Flexibility

A common misconception about pre-approved ADU plans is that they lack design flexibility. This is untrue, as companies offer authorized granny flat layouts in various sizes and styles to suit different ADU models. Certain details, such as the texture and theme, can also be customized to add a personalized touch to the unit and align with the existing property’s aesthetics. 

Drawbacks of Pre-Approved ADU Plans in California

Despite the multiple benefits of pre-approved ADU plans in California, certain drawbacks must be considered. You need to ensure the selected plan is designed to suit the existing site conditions on the property. Unique characteristics such as the lot size, slope, and shape may not always fit with a pre-approved ADU plan and can cause problems during construction. 

Pre-approved plans are also known to offer limited customization options. These plans include few design alternatives, in contrast to a custom plan that grants the property owner complete creative control. A pre-designed layout restricts personalization and may not always match the homeowner’s vision or existing property aesthetics. 

Pre-approved plans may also not be cost-effective when used in jurisdictions that undervalue the importance of the ADUs or are heavily understaffed. These plans eliminate any possible time and cost savings if the permitting process is unnecessarily complex, inefficient, or slow. 

Types of Pre-Approved ADU Plans in California

Pre-approved ADU plans in California can be classified into two main groups: city-owned and designed-owned plans. Each type has its own benefits and suitability for a particular type of property.

City-Owned Plans

City-owned plans are drawn by selected, qualified architects to adhere to the city’s regulations and zoning requirements. These designs are offered to property builders at affordable rates and are even free of cost in specific areas.

However, certain setbacks of city ADU plans may account for additional charges. For starters, this type does not provide builders, and the homeowner is responsible for finding and hiring one. 

Additionally, a designer is needed to assist in drawing up the site plan and doing a Title 24 calculation to ensure compliance with California’s energy efficiency standards. This designer also carries out additional work specific to the property’s features for extra charges.

Designer-Owned Plans

As the name suggests, designer-owned plans are developed by private design firms or architects and then submitted to local agencies for pre-approval. After the permits are accepted, the provider’s details are published on the city website.

Interested homeowners can contact independent designers and avail themselves of the benefits that come with this type of ADU floor plan. This layout allows the real estate owner to modify minor elements per their requirements without worrying about losing the pre-approval status. 

Designer-owned plans also feature a vast collection of designs to explore and select from for a more fitting and appealing ADU appearance. Furthermore, the designers involved are willing to take care of the permitting and construction procedures, allowing smooth and effortless project completion.

Tips for Choosing the Right Pre-Approved ADU Plans in California

It is essential to pick the best-suited pre-approved ADU plan in California to mitigate its drawbacks and make the most out of its multiple benefits. Here are some key considerations that can help in determining the suitability of an ADU plan with your property:

• Review the Property. Always analyze the property beforehand and ensure the selected pre-approved design will work for its specific features. This may include details such as the site’s dimensions, orientation, form, and slope.
• Check Local Regulations. A thorough understanding of local zoning rules can help determine the efficiency of a pre-approved ADU plan. Before getting an ADU plan in California, ensure the lot is located in a residential area with an already-built single-family house or duplex. As per California’s ADU guidelines, the property should be in a geohazard, landslide, and flood-safe zone and not need a fire variance. Check other building codes and verify that the approved plan complies with them.
• Consider ADU’s Usage. An ADU is a multipurpose living space that can be used as a guest house, rental unit, or extra storage and office area. Choose a pre-approved ADU plan for a single bedroom, two-story, or any other style depending on the type of occupants and their needs. An expert architect or builder can help you choose the ideal ADU plan based on its use and your budget.
• Conduct a Cost-Benefit Analysis. Last, calculate and compare the total financial cost of building a custom ADU with a pre-approved city or designer-owned plan in California. See if the already permitted plan contributes to cost savings and whether it will help reduce the project’s construction time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to get an ADU permit in California

Every newly built attached and detached ADU with dimensions of 1200 square feet or less is required to have a permit issued by California’s local agencies. To apply for this permit, the homeowner must submit a package containing a filled application form, property documents, proposed ADU project, and detailed site and construction plans. Then, the homeowner pays the permit fee to finish the submission process and waits to hear back from the local authorities.

How much does an ADU permit cost in California?

The permit and legal fees for building an ADU in California are relatively high and contribute significantly to the overall project value. The price of an ADU permit differs across municipalities but usually costs between $1,400 and $10,000 or more, depending on the lot size, ADU design, and other state-specific requirements.

Can you make changes to California’s pre-approved ADU plans?

Many cities in California allow property owners to make minor changes or edits to pre-approved ADU designs. These alterations can include replacing regular-sized windows with larger ones or choosing different materials for the unit’s interior and exterior finish.

What cities have pre-approved ADU plans in California?

The immense benefits of ADUs and decreasing legal restrictions have made pre-approved ADU plans increasingly popular in California. Here’s a quick rundown of the major cities that support these practical ADU blueprints:

• Los Angeles: It offers one of the most extensive collections, over 20 designs, of Standard ADU plans.
• San Francisco: It features some approved ADU prototypes, which assist contractors in designing their blueprints and speeding up the process instead of pre-approved plans.
• San Diego: It provides up to 70% complete standard ADU plans, free of cost to its residents.
• San Jose: The city lists multiple pre-approved ADU plans and design firms that offer outlines for detached dwelling units.
• Seattle: It also contains various authorized ADU plans for detached units but has no pre-approved layouts for ADUs attached to the property or converted from garages.

Conclusion

Pre-approved ADU plans in California can significantly ease an ADU project’s permitting and building process. These already approved designs are best suited to homeowners who value efficiency, convenience, and affordability rather than customizability in these dwelling units. 

RenoFi loans are the most innovative way to fund a home renovation project. Compared to traditional loans, which are based on your current home value or require you to refinance your primary mortgage and give up your low rate, RenoFi loans are based on the after renovation value of your home. This allows you to borrow, on average, 11x more, get a low monthly payment, and keep your low rate on your first mortgage. 

Explore our pre-approved ADU plans in California and watch your ADU come to life while saving on additional costs, time, and effort!