Custom Two Story ADU with Beautiful Views in Encinitas
Hillcrest Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024
Homeowner Story: Flex space
Other Features: Garage, Deck
Special Circumstance: Coastal Zone
For this client in Encinitas, we demolished an existing garage to construct a new 2-car garage with a stunning 610-square-foot ADU above it.
This modern build features an exposed stairway leading to a spacious second-story deck, complete with full sliding glass doors. The upward expansion not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the home but also provides a beautiful vantage point of the surrounding neighborhood and coastal views. This project seamlessly blends functionality with elegance, creating a versatile living space that maximizes the property’s potential.
Read more about building in the coastal zone.
Floor Plan:
Custom ADU Floor Plan
Community:
The Encinitas ADU Guide
We have many projects in Encinitas and we know the city’s regulations and processes very well. Encinitas has some of the lowest permitting fees in the area, averaging just $2-4 per square foot of space for ADUs. We are also seeing fewer requirements for minor use permits in the coastal zone. Encinitas has also put out “permit ready” plans (PRADU), which some homeowners have found helpful as a starting place for their ADU designs.
The greatest attribute of Encinitas is that nearly all plan check and building permit fees have been waived for ADUs. Also, while much of Encinitas is located in the coastal zone, ADUs do not require extensive coastal permit requirements, meaning there is little to no added time or cost for coastal.
What about Encinitas Permit Ready Accessory Dwelling Unit (PRADU) Program?
You may have heard about the City of Encinitas having a permit ready ADU program (PRADU). 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. Based on our experience building several PRADU plans, 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.
