Detached ADU
A standalone structure in the yard — most privacy, most rent, and the most involved permitting path.
A floor plan is not attached-only or detached-only — many layouts can be built either way, and which fits depends on your lot, not the drawing. A sample across our size range:
Home exterior & yard
Estate aerial view
Living room with fireplace
A detached ADU we designed, permitted and built in San Diego County — photographed from both sides so you can see the whole thing, not a flattering angle.
Front
Rear
Limits vary by jurisdiction. These are the levers that decide what fits on your lot — we confirm every one of them against your city before design starts.
These are California state minimums — the floor every city has to allow. Your jurisdiction may permit more, and applies its own setbacks, height and design rules on top. We confirm all of it against your address before design starts. See regulations by city. Statutes reviewed 4 August 2026.
Under an hour, no pressure — we talk through what your lot allows and give you a ballpark for your property. No charge, and no obligation to go further.