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Can I Build an ADU on My California Property
Can I Actually Fit an ADU on My California Property? (Spoiler: Probably)
- ADU Design & Construction
Finding your perfect ADU match isn’t about size—it’s about the right fit for your property AND lifestyle.
So you’re thinking about jumping into the ADU game, huh?
First off—good call.
With housing prices doing whatever the hell they want these days, adding an accessory dwelling unit is like finding money in your backyard (literally).
But then comes that nagging question: “Can I even fit an ADU on my property?”
It’s the homeowner equivalent of wondering if you’ll ever find someone on those dating apps who doesn’t list “adventures” as their personality.
The Space Equation: It’s Not Just About Square Footage
Here’s the deal—fitting an ADU on your property is kind of like trying to park in downtown. Technically possible, but you need to know the rules.
The biggest factor? Setbacks.
These are basically the personal space bubbles your ADU needs to maintain:
- 6-10 feet from your main house.
- At least 4 feet from your property boundaries
- 10 feet from any power lines on your back fence.
A word about powerlines. If you have them in the front of your house, all the way across, craning in a unit will be… tricky. Nothing says “welcome to your new ADU” like a crane operator sweating bullets while navigating between power lines.
Size Doesn’t Matter (As Much As You Think)
Let me tell you about Mark and Jen in San Jose…
They were obsessed with getting the biggest ADU possible on their lot. Spreadsheets, price calculations, measurements, hand drawn design.
After weeks of calculations, they realized they could technically fit a 795 sq ft unit. But that wasn’t the purchase size.
They ended up going with a ~600 sq ft model that felt twice as spacious because of its smart layout, massive windows, and vaulted ceilings.
Now they’re hosting dinner parties in their “tiny” ADU while their friends with bigger units are wondering why theirs feel like underground bunkers.
The lesson? A smaller, well-designed ADU can feel more spacious than a larger, poorly designed one.
It’s not just about square footage. You want to get a unit that is sized appropriately for your taste, use case, visual aesthetics, etc.
It’s Not Just About Fitting—It’s About FITTING
Here’s where most homeowners mess up: they focus so much on what CAN fit on their property that they forget to consider what SHOULD fit based on their lifestyle.
Ask yourself:
- Are you planning to rent it out to help cover that California mortgage?
- Setting up a home office where you can escape your children? (We don’t judge)
- Creating an in-law suite for your parents? (In which case, maybe consider soundproofing)
Each of these scenarios might call for a completely different layout, even in the same square footage. It’s like shopping for jeans—the size is just a number; the fit is what matters.
Double-Check Before You Double Down
Not to sound like your high school math teacher, but show your work! Before you fall in love with an ADU model, use measurement tools to confirm it’ll actually fit with all those setback requirements.
Even better—use our property placement tool at https://livelargetech.com/check-my-lot/ to visualize exactly how different models would sit on your specific lot. It’s like those apps where you can see how a sofa looks in your living room before buying, except this one prevents $300,000 mistakes.
The Bottom Line
Yes, you can probably fit an ADU on your California property—even with our state’s notorious regulations. But the better question is: which ADU fits both your property constraints AND gives you that “I can’t believe I get to live/work/hide from my family here” feeling?
Finding that perfect match means balancing the cold, hard measurements with the warm, fuzzy feeling of a space that actually works for your life. So break out the measuring tape, but don’t forget to also measure your lifestyle needs.
Looking for a no-pressure way to explore your ADU options? Reach out for a free property assessment. We promise not to be as pushy as those real estate agents who keep leaving “Just checking in!” voicemails.
P.S. If your zip code isn’t available in our tool yet, don’t worry—it will be soon. And if the software gives you any trouble, just grab a measuring tape and head into your backyard. Sometimes the old-school approach works just fine.
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