1BR/1BA 24×20 Square
500 Sq Ft Tiny House Floor Plans: Maximizing Space and Functionality
Our 500 sq ft accessory dwelling unit (ADU) plans are thoughtfully designed to offer full functionality while maintaining a compact, easy-to-maintain space. Also known as a “tiny house,” a small ADU can be ideal for homeowners looking to add an efficient living unit to their property. Whether you’re looking to rent out your ADU or build for a family member, this 500 sq ft floor plan is both versatile and affordable. Read about tiny homes vs. ADUs.
Spacious Design in a 500 Sq Ft Footprint
Although just under 500 sq ft, this tiny house floor plan makes the most of every inch. Measuring 24×20, the square design incorporates an open-concept living and kitchen area with plenty of windows, creating a bright and inviting great room. The kitchen comes with ample storage space and an optional peninsula, perfect for adding extra counter space and seating. With a smaller footprint, this plan is ideal for smaller properties where maximizing land use is essential, or where zoning restrictions such as required setbacks may limit the size of accessory dwelling units. Read more about your local ADU regulations.
Additionally, there may be some cost benefits to staying under the 500 sq ft mark. For instance, several cities in San Diego county have exemptions for soils reports or stormwater mitigation when the ADU is sub 500 sq ft. Our guide on choosing the right size for your ADU project dives deeper into some of these considerations.
Best Use Cases for a 500 Sq Ft Tiny House
Our tiny house plans are ideal for a wide range of uses. Whether you’re creating a rental property to generate extra income or providing a cozy, self-contained living space for a family member, this floor plan offers great versatility. Top use cases:
- Rental Unit: Perfect for a long-term tenant or short-term rental, the 500 sq ft design provides everything a renter needs in a compact, easily maintained space. A great example of this use case is this project in Carlsbad.
- Guest House: Ideal for visiting family or friends, this plan offers the privacy of a separate bedroom and bath, combined with an open living area for shared time.
- Family Member Residence: This tiny house makes an excellent home for an aging parent or adult child who wants independence but still enjoys being close to the family. One of our clients in San Diego built their 500 sq ft tiny home just for this purpose.
Pre-Approved ADU Plans in Chula Vista & San Marcos
This design by SnapADU is part of the City of Chula Vista’s Standard ADU Plans and the City of San Marcos’ Pre-Approved ADU plans, developed to streamline the permitting process. They are approximately 85% complete with the rest to be completed with project-specific information. By choosing this pre-approved plan, homeowners can reduce design costs and expedite approvals, saving both time and money. For more details on local ADU regulations, visit Chula Vista’s ADU regulation page and San Marcos’ ADU regulation page.
Plans Download: 500 SF ADU
Download the ZIP file of this full set of plans: 498 Square – Construction Documents. Additional versions of this plan, including the reverse, are also available.
Is a Pre-Approved Plan Right for You?
Pre-approved ADU plans offer several advantages:
- Faster Permitting: These plans meet local codes and are pre-reviewed, cutting down on approval times.
- Lower Costs: Skip custom design fees with pre-designed layouts tailored to local requirements.
- Simplified Process: Pre-approved plans estimate much of the uncertainty in the design and permitting stages.
They are a great option for homeowners who want to fast-track the design & permitting process and reduce costs. However, it is important to note that pre-approved plans cannot be customized. They are fixed designs intended to simplify and expedite the process, but they do not allow for adjustments such as reconfiguring rooms, resizing, or adding custom features. Read more about pre-approved plans.
If you’re looking for more flexibility, this layout can be tailored as a semi-custom ADU plan. Read more about customization paths in our Custom ADU Guide.
Affordable ADU Project: Staying Under $300,000
One of the key advantages of our 500 sq ft tiny house plan is its potential to keep the total project cost under $300,000 in Southern California. This can be an attractive option for homeowners seeking a more affordable ADU solution. Read more about ADU costs.
Why Is the Cost Per Square Foot Higher for Small Units?
In general, smaller ADUs are more expensive to build on a per-square-foot basis. This is because many construction-related costs are fixed, regardless of the size of the unit. For example, the same number of subcontractors—such as electricians, plumbers, and framers—must be mobilized to the job site whether you’re building 400 sq ft or 1200 sq ft. These subcontractors typically have a minimum fee for their services, which doesn’t decrease for smaller jobs.
Additionally, there are numerous overhead costs involved in building an ADU, such as construction documents, soils reports, site surveys, supervision, and necessary site utilities like dumpsters and temporary toilets. These costs are essentially the same whether you’re building a large or small ADU. For a smaller unit, these overhead costs are spread over fewer square feet, making the cost per square foot higher.
Despite the higher cost per square foot, a 500 sq ft ADU remains a cost-effective option for homeowners who want to add a functional and versatile living space without the financial commitment of a larger structure.
($208K Vertical Build + $27K Standard Finish Materials) Your project will also require plans, permits, sitework and additional considerations that are dependent on your lot. Contact us to get a detailed quote.