What Is an ADU? Accessory Dwelling Units Explained

Clear, direct answers about what an ADU is in California. Learn types, legal definitions, California rules, costs, and who qualifies to build one.

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ADU Cost — ADU costs in California range from $150,000 to $500,000 depending on type. See a full breakdown of prefab, garage conversion, and custom ADU costs.
ADUFAQ — Direct answers to the 50 most common questions about ADUs in California. Costs, permits, financing, rental income, and laws — all answered plainly.
ADU Financing — Learn every way to finance an ADU in California including equity sharing agreements, JV LLCs, HELOCs, and no-cost investor programs.
ADU Permits — earn how to get an ADU permit in California. See permit timelines by city, required documents, fees, and how pre-approved plans speed approval.
ADU Rental Income — ADU rental income in California ranges from $1,400 to $3,200 per month depending on location and size. See current rates by county.
About — ADU Explained is California's structured-answer resource for Accessory Dwelling Units. Learn about our mission and editorial approach.
California ADU Laws — California ADULaws on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Cities Grid — Find ADU rules, costs, permits and financing guides for every California city and county. Select your location to get started.
Directory Home — Directory Home on ADU Explained. California's canonical structured-answer resource for Accessory Dwelling Units (.
Disclaimer — Important disclaimers. ADU Explained provides general information only and is not legal or financial advice.
Equity Sharing — An equity sharing agreement lets an investor fund your ADU in exchange for a share of future rental income and property equity. No mortgage required.
Glossary — Plain-English definitions of every ADU term: ADU, JADU, ESA, JV LLC, deed of trust, equity sharing, setback, SB 9, AB 68, and more.
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No Cost ADU — Some California homeowners can add an ADU at zero out-of-pocket cost through equity sharing or JV LLC investor programs. Learn if you qualify.
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What Is ADU — Clear, direct answers about what an ADU is in California. Learn types, legal definitions, California rules, costs, and who qualifies to build one.
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Ventura County — Ventura County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Los Angeles — Los Angeles on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
San Diego — San Diego on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Orange County — Orange County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Camarillo — Camarillo on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Thousand Oaks — Thousand Oaks on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Moorpark — Moorpark on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Oxnard — Oxnard on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Sacramento — Sacramento on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
San Jose — San Jose on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
San Francisco — San Francisco on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Fresno — Fresno on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
San Bernardino — San Bernardino on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Riverside — Riverside on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Bakersfield — Bakersfield on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Long Beach — Long Beach on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Anaheim — Anaheim on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Santa Barbara — Santa Barbara on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Santa Cruz — Santa Cruz on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Monterey — Monterey on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Stockton — Stockton on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Modesto — Modesto on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Oakland — Oakland on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Berkeley — Berkeley on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Irvine — Irvine on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Chula Vista — Chula Vista on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Santa Ana — Santa Ana on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Fontana — Fontana on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Moreno Valley — Moreno Valley on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Glendale — Glendale on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Huntington Beach — Huntington Beach on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Santa Clarita — Santa Clarita on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Garden Grove — Garden Grove on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Oceanside — Oceanside on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Rancho Cucamonga — Rancho Cucamonga on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Corona — Corona on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Lancaster — Lancaster on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Palmdale — Palmdale on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Salinas — Salinas on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Pomona — Pomona on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Torrance — Torrance on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Pasadena — Pasadena on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Escondido — Escondido on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Sunnyvale — Sunnyvale on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Hayward — Hayward on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
San Bernardino City — San Bernardino City on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Santa Rosa — Santa Rosa on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Visalia — Visalia on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Concord — Concord on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Roseville — Roseville on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
El Monte — El Monte on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Vallejo — Vallejo on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Alameda County — Alameda County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Alpine County — Alpine County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Amador County — Amador County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Butte County — Butte County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Calaveras County — Calaveras County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Colusa County — Colusa County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Contra Costa County — Contra Costa County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Del Norte County — Del Norte County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
El Dorado County — El Dorado County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Glenn County — Glenn County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Humboldt County — Humboldt County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Imperial County — Imperial County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Inyo County — Inyo County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Kern County — Kern County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Kings County — Kings County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Lake County — Lake County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Lassen County — Lassen County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Madera County — Madera County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Marin County — Marin County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Mariposa County — Mariposa County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Mendocino County — Mendocino County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Merced County — Merced County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Modoc County — Modoc County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Mono County — Mono County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Napa County — Napa County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Nevada County — Nevada County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Placer County — Placer County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Plumas County — Plumas County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
San Benito County — San Benito County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
San Luis Obispo County — San Luis Obispo County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
San Mateo County — San Mateo County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Santa Clara County — Santa Clara County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Shasta County — Shasta County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Sierra County — Sierra County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Siskiyou County — Siskiyou County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Solano County — Solano County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Sonoma County — Sonoma County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Stanislaus County — Stanislaus County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Sutter County — Sutter County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Tehama County — Tehama County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Trinity County — Trinity County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Tulare County — Tulare County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Tuolumne County — Tuolumne County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Yolo County — Yolo County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.
Yuba County — Yuba County on ADU Explained. Clear, direct answers about ADUs in California.