Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), also known as mother-in-law units, granny flats, casitas, and a number of other names, are popular additions right now for homeowners in and around Long Beach. These independent living quarters, which are built on the same lot as a single-family home, can add a great amount of value to Long Beach properties.
The good news is, not only does the City of Long Beach (and the state of California, for that matter) allow ADUs, they actually encourage their construction!
As you are probably aware, there is a major shortage of affordable housing in Long Beach and the surrounding areas. Apartment complexes have waiting lists, and affordable homes to rent are next to impossible to find. For this reason, the state of California has loosened some of the requirements that used to discourage homeowners from building ADUs on their properties. For example, HOAs are not allowed to reasonably prohibit the building of ADUs within their communities, and homeowners no longer have to pay any impact fees for ADUs under 750 square feet.
If you have room on your property, building an ADU can be a great investment. You may need the space for an aging family member who still wants to live independently, but needs a little assistance, or an adult child who wants to stay near family and needs an affordable place to stay. Or you may simply want to build it as a rental unit and earn some extra income for your household. Whatever the case may be, adding an ADU to a property will certainly increase its value if you do it right (build it to code and go through the permitting process).
Some homeowners already have a building on their property, such as a garage or other type of outbuilding that they can convert into an ADU, while others need to build their ADU from the ground up. Whatever the case may be, it would be wise to bring an experienced Long Beach architect in on the project. An architect can help design an ADU that will best serve the purpose for which it is being built. For example, if the ADU is being constructed for an elderly family member, an architect may add features such as wider hallways, a walk-in shower, and other accommodations for those with reduced mobility. If the ADU will be used as a rental unit, they can help design a unit that will give both the homeowner and the renter an adequate amount of privacy.
An architect can also design the ADU in a way that matches or complements the style of the main house, help with the process of obtaining permits, and oversee the construction.
If you have been thinking about building an ADU on your Long Beach property, contact us at Grisafe Architecture. We can give you some insight into what the process looks like and talk about any ideas you may have.
