Are you looking to add a granny flat or another dwelling on your property to keep your family close, or plan for the future?
Or perhaps you are looking for additional rental income from your property ?
Or, are you looking to increase cash-flow on your multi-family property?

Whatever your goal, now is the perfect time to take advantage of California’s new ADU laws. In San Diego the zoning codes make it easier for you to add a granny flat, called an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), to your property.

Which one is right for your property?

  • Garage Conversion
  • Detached ADU
  • Attached ADU
  • Above the garage ADU
  • Multi-family addition
  • Junior ADU

We can see it now – Your New ADU

The first time you open the door and walk in, it feels just like you imagined it would. You have great natural light and it’s positioned for privacy. The room feels open and inviting, everything is modern and new. You can’t wait to show it off, and for your guests or tenants to enjoy it.

We have designed more than ADU designed throughout San Diego than any other firm. Each of those designs is unique, each based on the goals of each property owner. What will yours look like?

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Getting Started Designing Your ADU

Your ADU should maximize your property value, while minimizing stress, confusion, and overwhelm. Because of this, we developed our proprietary ADU Design Methodology.

Our seven-step design methodology keeps everything moving forward, leaving you time to find the right contractors, and plan for what you’ll do once it’s done. You can count on our experienced team at RDG to guide you through every step of the process.

View the Steps

You have an advocate in your corner

There are a lot of expensive pitfalls you can fall into during the design and permit process. The last thing you want during the design process are headaches and additional expenses that could have been avoided. 

But you don’t need to worry about unwanted expenses that can leave you struggling long after the ADU is finished. No one likes surprise expenses, so we work hard to ensure our clients don’t end up with an ADU that exceeds their budget. 

During our time together, Ruland Design Group will: 

  • Create a design that fits your budget 
  • Navigate the permit process for you
  • Act as your advocate every step of the way 

In the design phase, it is critical to understand your vision, funding, and scope of your project. The planning phase kicks off the process and lasts until the permits are obtained and you are ready to break ground.

We take you through the process, guiding you, and taking care of the details, so you don’t have to worry.

In designing more than ADUs than anyone else in San Diego, we know how it works, what to expect, and where the potential hang-ups could be. You can avoid potential pitfalls that lead to wasted time and resources. Instead, you can rely on our experienced team to guide you through the process, from idea to approved plans that are ready for your contractor to take them and start building.

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We’re Often Asked, “What exactly is an Accessory Dwelling Unit?”

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) are an additional dwelling on a residential or mixed-use, single-family or multi-family property. Essentially they are an additional living space that could be added to your property.

There are many terms used over the years for these additional units, including a granny flat, casita, guest house, in-law suite, carriage house, garden cottage, studio apartment, tiny house, and more.

Luckily, recent changes in California housing law and zoning codes in San Diego makes it easier than ever to add an additional dwelling onto your property. These dwellings include apartments over the garage, attached to the house, or free-standing units.

The new zoning code allows these units to have a full kitchen. Since their size is only limited by the size of the primary residence, the ADU can be larger than a traditional granny flat. 

The best part of the new zoning code? With the full kitchen, you can legally rent out the additional unit.

What are the benefits of ADUs?

From making extra rental income to keeping an aging family member close to home, there are many benefits of adding an ADU to your property. 

Regardless of what your goals are, one of the best benefits of building an ADU is that you will increase the value of your property in the long-term.

What are the San Diego ADU Laws?

Since there is a lot to cover when it comes to the ADU laws in the City of San Diego as well as the County of San Diego, we compiled the information into one place. Learn more about the San Diego ADU Laws.

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