California Accessory Dwelling Units: What Are They & How to Get One

What is an ADU? 

An ADU, short for Accessory Dwelling Unit, is a small home that can be built on the same lot alongside another, larger single-family home. Other names for an ADU include backyard house, guest house, personal Bread & Breakfast house, casita and In-Law Suite. With all these names, you’ve probably guessed that these units have an extremely wide range of usage, and you would be right! ADUs can be used as a long-term or short-term rental unit, separate office or studio space, a decked out at-home gym, a kids playroom, a comfortable option for an aging parent or in-law, and SO much more. What’s important to remember is regardless of how it’s used, legally an ADU is part of the same property as the main home. Here at Champion® Homes, we take pride in building high-quality ADUs with our innovative offsite building process.  

Who Are ADUs For? 

It’s no secret that ADUs are increasingly popular because they are so versatile. First things first: where are you located? Champion builds ADUs for homeowners in the state of California. Next, you’ll want to make sure your lot is eligible for ADU construction under local zoning laws. Laws vary by location, so check with your local municipality to access the zoning code that’s applicable to your home.  

After that, you’ll also want to make sure someone is actually occupying the main home. It might seem like a no-brainer, but laws are serious about the fact that you can’t live in an ADU unless someone is currently living in the primary dwelling.