Tiny Homes vs. ADUs - Are They Different? | Backyard Unlimited California (2024)

FAQs

Tiny Homes vs. ADUs - Are They Different? | Backyard Unlimited California? ›

ADU Size Regulations

They can be converted garages, basem*nt apartments, or separate cottages. ADUs allow homeowners to expand their living space and generate rentals while maintaining the privacy of both units. On the other hand, tiny houses are compact living spaces intentionally designed to be small and efficient.

ADU Size Limits

California ADU building code states the following size regulations for detached ADUs: Detached ADUs can be up to 1200 sq ft. Detached ADUs with one bedroom or less can be 800 sq ft. Detached ADUs with two or more bedrooms can be up to 1000 sq ft.

There is a wide range of tiny houses with different types, including mobile variants and those with fixed pitches. Mobile tiny houses, also known as mobile homes, are mounted on wheels or a construction trailer and offer extreme flexibility as they can be easily moved from one place to another.

A tiny house is required to have its own address, either through an electrical permit or through a sewer or septic permit if the tiny house uses solar; and must be licensed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Tiny homes have recently been classified as a type of ADU in San Diego – you can have a detached tiny home (150-430 sqft in size, licensed by the DMV) as your ADU in your back yard. Note that this is not in addition to having an ADU; the tiny home is classified as the ADU.

Tiny houses are designed to sit on a very small space, so the costs to install them tend to be small. An ADU can take any form or size, so ADUs on average will be more expensive to build.

Your Property Can Accommodate Two Additional Units

Multiple ADUs attached to existing structures and up to two detached ADUs are permissible for multi-family lots. These changes represent a significant shift from previous laws, significantly increasing the potential for ADU development and addressing housing needs.

A two-bedroom unit must be at least 1,000 square feet. Local agencies can adopt ordinances to set minimum and maximum unit sizes for ADUs so long as they meet these square footage requirements. Bedrooms: California state law does not allow a limit on the number of bedrooms in an ADU.

Assembly Bill 68 allows landlords and homeowners to add 2 more units – an ADU and a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) – on any residential lot. This means you can legally create a triplex on every single lot (if your lot meets size and setback requirements) according to the 2024 ADU laws in California.

Is it cheaper to live in a tiny home or an apartment? ›

Owning a tiny home can be much cheaper than renting an apartment if you can pay cash, as this limits your monthly costs to parking and moving expenses. If you finance a tiny home, your monthly costs could be less -- or even more, depending on the type, size, and terms of the loan.

A tiny home is viewed as a space consisting of 100 square feet to 400 square feet. Some tiny homes are less than 100 square feet and can include up to 500 square feet. But a small home is a bit larger and ranges from 400 square feet to approximately 1,000 square feet.

Each tiny home includes amenities like a tiny kitchenette, a small bathroom, plumbing and electricity. Some homes include a private deck, and others that are side by side share the outdoor deck space.

In terms of where you can build a tiny house in California, the following are permitted: You can build it on a residential lot you own. There may be campgrounds or RV parks that allow them.

Several counties in California allow tiny houses, including Fresno, Los Angeles, and San Diego. According to Appendix Q, these counties have specific regulations and zoning laws that allow for the building and placement of tiny houses.

How Much Does a Tiny House Cost in California? Although much less expensive than a traditional home, prices for tiny houses in California can fluctuate from the low $30,000-$60,000 (only the cost to build) or more depending on the layout you design and the type of amenities you add.

Besides the obvious difference in square footage (ADUs can be much larger), a Tiny House may be a mobile home on wheels, An ADU is a fixed, foundation built home with permanent sewer and utilities, that is built to last for generations.

All casitas are ADUs, but not all ADUs are casitas. The size limitation offers a guideline, where Casitas are traditionally limited to 800 square feet, while ADUs can be up to 1,200 square feet. However, exceeding the 800-square-foot mark would essentially transform a Casita into an ADU.

Building an ADU on the property is potentially one of the wisest investments an owner can make. The amount of equity an ADU adds to a property varies depending on several factors such as location, size, and quality of construction. On average, an ADU can add anywhere from 10% to 25% to a property's overall value.

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU)—also known as a granny flat or backyard home—is a secondary residential unit on a property with a proposed or existing home. Recent revisions to California State law have made ADUs easier and more affordable to build.