Oceanside ADU Design
Simplified and Expedited ADU Design
At Oceanside ADU Design, our comprehensive design service will take your project from initial concept to fully permitted and ready-for-construction.
Reach out and tell us about your property and project goals, and to schedule a free consultation!
About Us
I’m Devin, Oceanside ADU’s founder and chief designer. I’m a Structural Engineer by training. Before founding Oceanside ADU design, I designed bridges all over the State of California—if you’re reading this, you’ve probably driven over one of them!
After my family decided to move to Oceanside in 2021, I dusted off my residential design codes, and got to work designing a rental ADU in our side yard. Our project went from rough sketches, through design and permitting, to built and occupied, all in under one year. Most importantly, it came in on budget with no major “surprises” during construction. Since then, my practice has naturally grown. First to friends and family, and ultimately to my O’side neighbors in the form of Oceanside ADU Design.
My goal is for Oceanside ADU Design to provide our clients with Expediency — striking the proper balance between speed and deliberation. Expediency is key to the success of any project, be it an arch bridge or an ADU.
We work low volume, bringing focus and urgency to each project. With practiced knowledge of state and local ADU ordinance and comprehensive technical expertise, we produce quality, well thought-out designs that ensure your project meets your goals.
Thanks for reading and please reach out to discuss your project.
Devin
Our work is guided by a few basic principles:
Centralized design is the key to a successful project. Handling all aspects of design in-house (architecture, engineering, energy calculations, permitting, etc), results in efficient, cohesive designs.
Simple, thoughtful concepts, like making use of natural light, are more impactful and economical than “bells and whistles”.
Value is a top priority. We strive to realize our clients’ visions in a value-additive way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit?
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), also known as a granny flat or in-law suite, is a smaller, mostly independent residential unit located on the same lot as a single-family home.
How is an ADU different from a second house?
ADU’s are subject to certain limitations, like size and height, intended to result in new units that integrate into existing neighborhoods unobtrusively. The State has passed laws that encourage development of ADUs by limiting the ability of the local agency (The City of Oceanside) to impose restrictions on ADU’s, so long as the proposed units meet the limitations prescribed by the State. In contrast, a second home developed outside of the ADU pathway would not be subject to the ADU limitations, but would be subject to the City’s underlying zoning limitations, which are typically much more restrictive when it comes to developing additional units on a lot that is zoned for a single family house.
Why build an ADU?
Homeowners consider building an ADU for a variety of reasons. Some want space for visiting family and friends, or long-term housing for aging relatives. Others use their ADU as a rental unit for supplemental income. Others view their ADU primarily as an investment, to add equity to their property.
What are the main ADU types?
Designs vary widely from site to site, but ADU’s fall generally into 3 categories: Detached, attached, and Junior (known as a JADU). Space for an ADU can be newly built, conversion of existing residential or nonresidential space, or a combination of both.
What is a Junior ADU (JADU)?
A JADU is an ADU that is 500 square feet or less, and built entirely within existing space. JADU’s are subject to different rules and restrictions. For instance, they can share a bathroom with the main house, and can have a small “efficiency'“ kitchen instead of a full-sized kitchen. They are often cheaper to build than standard ADU’s.
How do Utilities work?
ADU’s are connected to public utilities via the connections of the main house. Separate meters are installed to track the utility usage of the ADU. The electric meter is typically read by the electric company and billed to the ADU separately. The water line to the ADU must be equipped with a private water submeter, that allows the homeowner to split the bill manually between the main home and the ADU. The ADU does not receive a separate bill from the water company.
How does an ADU affect my property value?
Building an ADU will add value to your property in the form of equity. The amount of equity, and the return on investment, is difficult to forecast because it depends on multiple site specific and market factors.
How does an ADU affect my property taxes?
Many homeowners are reluctant to build an ADU, for fear that their entire property will be reassessed at current market value, resulting in higher taxes. Rest assured, building an ADU will not impact the valuation of the existing house. Rather, an ADU will trigger a “blended” assessment, wherein the value of the ADU (typically assumed to be the cost to build) is added to the previously assessed property value, and the sum is used as the new basis for property taxes. The new assessment will increase property taxes, but not to a level commensurate with current market value of the overall property. Please consult your tax professional for more detailed information.
How does ADU rental income affect my income taxes?
Most homeowners who use their ADU’s as rental units choose to count the rental income as personal income, for simplicity of tax filing. Taxable rental income can be partially offset by taking advantage of certain write-offs. For instance, appliances are assumed to depreciate over 5 years, so 20% of the cost of appliances can be written off every year during the depreciation period. Likewise, the unit itself is assumed to depreciate over 27.5 years, so the cost to build can be similarly written off. Other costs like maintenance, and even the value of the owner’s time spent maintaining the unit can be counted against rental income, to decrease the associated tax burden. Please consult your tax professional for more detailed information.
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Let us know about you, your property, and your goals.
