Garage Conversion or Detached ADU: Which Fits Your Lot?
The short answer: A garage conversion is often the less expensive way to add an ADU in California because the foundation, walls, and roof already exist, and state law spares conversions from setback and replacement-parking requirements. But “often” is not “always.” If the slab, framing, or roof needs major work, or the garage sits in […]
The ADU Size Numbers That Quietly Change Your Budget in Long Beach and Signal Hill (2026)
Most homeowners pick an ADU size based on floor plans and rent. Under California law, a few specific square-footage numbers also decide which fees you pay and how your permit is reviewed. Crossing one of them by even a few feet can add costs that have nothing to do with construction. This guide explains those […]
ADU vs. Guest House in California: What’s the Difference?
The short answer is a kitchen. Under California law, if a backyard structure has permanent provisions for cooking, it’s an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and you can legally rent it out. No kitchen, and it’s a guest house. In most California cities that means you can’t rent it to anyone, at any price, for any […]