ADU Builder & Accessory Dwelling Unit Contractor in Sacramento, CA

Most new detached ADUs run roughly $250 to $400 per square foot, so a 600 sq ft unit typically lands around $150,000 to $240,000. Garage conversions are cheaper, often $80,000 to $150,000, because they reuse the existing foundation and walls. Sacramento generally runs 20 to 40 percent below Bay Area pricing. Your exact cost depends on size, finishes, site conditions, and utility runs, which is why we give a detailed fixed quote up front.

Plan on about 4 to 6 months of construction once permits are approved. A garage conversion can be roughly 3 to 5 months from permit to move-in, while a ground-up detached ADU is usually 6 to 12 months including design and permitting. Using Sacramento's pre-approved plans can clear plan check in days instead of weeks.

Yes, every ADU needs a building permit. The good news is approval is ministerial, meaning no public hearings. State law (SB 543) now requires Sacramento to deem your application complete within 15 days, and most jurisdictions must approve or deny within 60 days. Pre-approved plans move even faster. We handle the entire submittal and plan-check process for you.

In the City of Sacramento, detached ADUs can reach 1,200 sq ft, attached ADUs are capped at 50 percent of the main house or set caps of 850 sq ft (one bedroom) to 1,000 sq ft (more bedrooms), and a JADU maxes out at 500 sq ft. There is no minimum lot size statewide, though setbacks and lot coverage still apply. We confirm exactly what fits during the feasibility visit.

Detached ADUs require only a 4-foot side and rear setback, and you must keep at least 4 feet between structures. Height is typically 16 feet, rising to 18 feet near a major transit stop or over a garage, and up to 18 to 20 feet under the state-standards path to match the main home's roofline. These rules were loosened by recent state laws like AB 1332.

Yes, you can rent a standard ADU, and California has permanently removed owner-occupancy requirements for standard ADUs, so you can rent both the main house and the ADU. JADUs are the exception: as of 2026 (AB 1154) owner-occupancy applies to a JADU only when it shares a bathroom with the main house. Short-term rentals under 30 days are restricted under the state-standards path.

Sacramento ADUs commonly rent for about $1,000 to $1,800 for studios and one-bedrooms and $2,000 to $2,800 for two-bedrooms, with most landing in the $1,500 to $2,500 range. Many owners see 8 to 12 percent cash-on-cash returns and break even in roughly 6 to 8 years, while the rental income helps cover the construction loan.

An ADU is reassessed only on the new added value, not your whole property, so your existing base assessment stays put. On the upside, a well-built ADU can meaningfully boost resale value, with homes that include quality ADUs often selling for notably more in Northern California markets.

An ADU is a fully independent home with its own full kitchen and bathroom and can be detached or up to 1,200 sq ft. A JADU is small, up to 500 sq ft, carved out of the existing house, needs only a kitchenette, and may share a bathroom with the main home. JADUs are cheaper but smaller and carry the shared-bathroom owner-occupancy rule.

Often, yes. California's AB 2533 created a clear path to legalize ADUs and JADUs built before January 1, 2020, and local agencies cannot deny the permit solely because the unit was never authorized. They use a health-and-safety checklist instead. We assess the structure and guide you through bringing it into compliance.