Everything You Need to Know

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Tiny homes / ADUs can take on various forms to suit your needs. It may be a backyard cottage, known as a Detached ADU, or a free-standing structure. Alternatively, a tiny home / ADU can be an in-home apartment created by converting existing space like a basement, attic, or garage, called an Internal ADU. Finally, building an addition to your home designed explicitly as a tiny home / ADU is an option.

When something is allowed “by right,” it means your building permit is approved if your proposals meet specific guidelines. Approval is not subject to local officials’ discretion, doesn’t require neighbor consent, and doesn’t involve petitioning the City Council. As long as your project meets the specified requirements, you are entitled to proceed with construction without additional hurdles or delays.

Special permits are needed for projects that go beyond what is allowed by right. This involves applying to the City Council and a public hearing with the Land Use Committee. Neighbors within 300 feet of your building location will also be notified. It can add 3-5 months or more to your timeline, increase costs, and could require compromises with neighbors or officials.

FAR, or Floor Area Ratio, is the total building floor area divided by the lot size. For instance, a 2,000 sq. ft. building on a 10,000 sq. ft. lot has a FAR of 0.2. Zoning ordinances set FAR limits based on lot size and zone, determining how much can be built on your lot, including tiny homes / ADUs and home additions.

Building a tiny home / ADU can take several months to over a year, depending on various factors. The process includes design and planning (1-4 months), which includes choosing the layout, creating plans, and obtaining permits. If a special permit is needed, this planning step can take longer. Construction follows for 3-9 months, with varying timelines.

The cost of a tiny home / ADU depends on the size of the project, its design complexity, and the quality of the materials used. On average, projects range from $100,000 - $300,000, with larger or more customized buildings costing more. While the upfront investment can seem significant, the rental income generated can help offset these costs over time, making tiny home / ADUs a viable financial option in the long run.