Junior ADU Drafting & Permitting Services in San Diego

Types of JADUs We Handle

Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) offer homeowners in San Diego flexible options for creating additional living space within their existing home's footprint. These compact units (maximum 500 square feet) can be configured in various ways to suit different property layouts and family needs:

• Converted garage JADUs: transforming an attached or detached garage into a living space, often the most straightforward option, requiring minimal structural changes while utilizing the existing foundation and walls
• Interior conversion JADUs: repurposing existing bedrooms, home offices, or living areas within the main dwelling, ideal for homes with underutilized spaces
• Basement JADUs: renovating underground spaces within the home's footprint, providing natural privacy and often cooler temperatures during summer months
• Shared bathroom JADUs: units that utilize the main home's bathroom facilities, reducing plumbing costs and maximizing living space within the JADU
• Independent bathroom JADUs: fully self-contained units with their own bathroom, offering more privacy and independence for occupants
• Efficiency kitchen JADUs: all units must contain a small kitchen with specific requirements, including a cooking facility with appliances, a food preparation counter, and storage cabinets
• Entrance conversion JADUs: utilizing existing side or back entrances for separate access, or adding a new entrance that complies with local building codes and maintains the home’s aesthetic

San Diego's Regulations for Junior ADUs

Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) have become a vital housing solution in San Diego’s thriving housing market. They help address the city’s housing shortage while giving homeowners new options.

San Diego's Municipal Code provides specific guidelines for these compact units, balancing homeowner flexibility and neighborhood character. Anyone considering a JADU project should understand these key regulations before moving forward.

Benefits of a Garage Conversion

You might be wondering if this process is worth it. Converting your garage into an ADU offers multiple advantages beyond gaining extra space. Here’s how our professional drafting services at Streamline Design help you maximize these benefits:

Advantages of JADUs

Junior Accessory Dwelling Units offer numerous benefits to homeowners, communities, and municipalities. Although compact, these living spaces provide practical solutions to housing challenges while creating opportunities for property owners.

• Affordable housing creation: JADUs provide naturally affordable rental options without government subsidies, helping address housing shortages in high-cost areas.
• Income generation: Homeowners can earn supplemental income through rental payments, helping offset mortgage costs or providing retirement income.
• Multi-generational living: JADUs enable families to house aging parents or adult children close by while maintaining privacy and independence.
• Housing flexibility: These units adapt to changing life circumstances, from caregiving needs to home office space to rental opportunities.
• Efficient land use: JADUs utilize existing structures, increasing housing density without expanding urban sprawl or requiring new infrastructure.
• Lower environmental impact: Smaller living spaces typically consume fewer resources for heating, cooling, and maintenance than larger dwellings.
• Community stabilization: Owner-occupancy requirements keep landlords invested in property maintenance and neighborhood quality.
• Minimal construction disruption: Converting existing space causes less neighborhood disruption than new construction projects.

What Is a Junior ADU?

A Junior ADU is a small living space (maximum of 500 square feet) created within an existing home's footprint, typically converted from a bedroom or attached garage. To qualify as a JADU, it requires an efficient kitchen and either its own bathroom or shared access to one in the main house.

What Is the Difference Between ADU and Junior ADU?

While Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior ADUs provide additional living spaces on residential properties, they differ significantly in several key aspects. We encourage you to understand these differences to determine which is best for your needs, budget, and property characteristics.