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Accessory Dwelling Units

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ADU

OVERVIEW

ADU LogoAn accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is an attached or detached residential dwelling unit, on the same lot as an existing single-family dwelling unit which is zoned for single-family or multifamily use, that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons. This includes permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation, all on the same parcel as the primary, single-family dwelling. An ADU can be an efficiency unit, as defined in Section 17958.1 of Health and Safety Code, or a manufactured home, as defined in Section 18007 of the Health and Safety Code.

A junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU) is a residential dwelling unit that is no more than 500 square feet in area, contained entirely within an existing single-family residence, and can have separate sanitation facilities from, or shared sanitation facilities with, the existing residence.

BENEFITS OF ADUs

ADUs and JADUs provide housing opportunities within existing neighborhoods creating housing that is already connected to the local character and infrastructure. The additional units help diversify the market for renters while providing supplemental income for homeowners, and thus increasing affordability throughout Encinitas.

Ordinances & Changes in State Law

APPLY FOR ADU APPROVAL

The following documents have been created to assist you in the preparation of your Building Permit submittal for your PRADU dwelling. The Housing for Generations catalog is a resource for residents interested in adding an ADU to their property. The Processing Guide provides step-by-step instructions to assist in preparing your Building Permit submittal. The complete PRADU Plan Sets for download are listed below.

  • Housing for Generations: A Guide to Building Accessory Units in Encinitas (Published in 2019)

  • The Processing Guide entails 7 steps:

    Step 1: Obtain Permit Materials

    Step 2: Review and Complete Material

    Step 3: Additional Submittal

    Step 4: Consult with City Staff

    Step 5: Application Submittal

    Step 6: Application Review

    Step 7: Permit Release/Construction/Inspection/Occupancy

  • Checklist:
  • Hold Harmless Statement
  • Housing H-Form
  • Stormwater Intake Form

PRADU OVERVIEW

PRADU Logo

The PRADU Program encourages the construction of ADUs by offering property owners a selection of pre-approved ADU building plans that can be downloaded from this page. The permit-ready plans include customizable options to allow for variations in exterior materials and door and window fenestrations to express individual owners’ tastes and respect community character. The program assists property owners in creating ADUs by providing customizable plans, expediting the process, and reducing preconstruction fees. The program also helps the city meet strategic plan goals by providing diverse housing options throughout the city.

Program History

After releasing a request for proposal, the City selected two local architects to collaborate with to establish criteria and create a collection of plans for the PRADU Program. The architects were tasked with preparing a series of units: a studio, a one-bedroom, a two-bedroom, and a three-bedroom. Each architect’s set of plans provide unique variations and benefits. The options from Design Path Studio are designed in a way that makes it easy for the owners to add bedrooms in the future. The options from DZN Partners offer an expansive list of exterior options and roof lines.

Permit-Ready Accessory Dwelling Unit (PRADU) Program & Building Plans
Timeline and Workshops

ADU GRANT PROGRAM

The California Housing Finance Agency (Cal HFA) accepts applications for the ADU Grant Program, which provides up to $40,000 towards pre-development and non-recurring closing costs associated with the construction of the ADU. Predevelopment costs include site prep, architectural designs, permits, soil tests, impact fees, property survey, and energy reports.

To qualify:

  • Applicants must own a single-family home or 2-4 units on the site where the ADU will be developed.
  • Applicants must be income-qualifying households that are low-income (80% of Area Median Income) earning less than $93,440.
  • Applicants must receive a construction loan through a certified lender in order to apply for the grant.

Interested? See the Program Term Sheet or call Cal HFA at (916) 326-8800.

For more information, check out this informative video from Cal HFA.

Stay up-to-date on future ADU funding opportunities through Cal HFA – sign up for notifications here.