Downsizing to ADU in Carlsbad Coastal Zone
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Homeowner Story: Downsize to ADU
Special Circumstance: Coastal Zone
A Carlsbad couple decided to build their dream ADU in their backyard, creating a perfect living space for themselves. By downsizing into the ADU, the couple plans to generate rental income by leasing their primary home. This 1200 sqft custom unit is designed to meet their every need, making it a true forever home.
The centerpiece of this ADU is the spacious custom kitchen, featuring an eat-in island with a sink and an extra-large capacity fridge. The homeowners prioritized ample space for cooking and food prep, making the kitchen a focal point for functionality and style.
The ADU includes two bedrooms and two bathrooms, providing flexibility and comfort. The primary suite is particularly luxurious, with a double vanity that includes a lowered makeup area, and a stunning tiled shower with glass doors. The bedroom also has a sliding glass door, allowing natural light to flood the space and providing easy access to the outdoors.
Read more about custom ADU design.
Community:
The Carlsbad ADU Guide
Several SnapADU team members live in Carlsbad, and we know the city’s regulations and processes very well. Turnaround times at the city are moderate. Carlsbad requires in-person submissions as well as soils reports (>750sqft), both of which do add some processing time and expense. Also, some of Carlsbad is in the coastal zone and minor use permits are required in those areas.
What about Carlsbad’s Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit Ready Program?
You may have heard about the City of Carlsbad’s permit ready ADU program. Under the program, the city offers a handful of floor plans that may be used by the public.
However, these plans require property-specific modifications and additional documentation to meet full permitting requirements. While initially seeming cost-effective, pre-approved plans may not offer significant savings due to construction costs and potential design adjustments needed for your specific site. To our knowledge, the permitting time for these plans is also not any different than other ADU plans.
For a detailed exploration of using pre-approved ADU plans and their implications, read more about the considerations for using pre-approved ADU plans from cities.
