Accessible ADU in San Marcos
Lamplighter Road, San Marcos, CA 92069
Homeowner Story: Bring aging family closer
A mother in San Marcos embarked on a journey to build herself an ADU in her daughter’s backyard, with a special consideration in mind – her son who uses a wheelchair. By making a few design changes to one of our standard plans, we transformed it into a custom 870sqft, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom plan that is not only comfortable but also wheelchair accessible.
One of the key modifications was enlarging the guest bathroom. This allowed for sufficient space for a wheelchair to maneuver comfortably. We also widened the doors throughout the ADU, ensuring easy access to all rooms. These thoughtful design changes were made to ensure her son could visit and navigate the space with ease and independence.
The client also had a specific vision for the outdoor space. She wanted to ensure she had a pleasant view into what is now a shared courtyard between the two homes. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the ADU but also promotes a sense of community and connection between the two dwellings.
Through these customizations, we were able to create an ADU that not only meets her needs but also provides an inclusive and welcoming space for her entire family.
Community:
The San Marcos ADU Guide
We’ve been honored to be selected to design the City of San Marcos pre-approved ADU plans, which will be released in 2024. SnapADU has permitted or is in the process of permitting numerous projects within the city, and we know the city’s regulations and processes very well.
One unusual requirement in San Marcos is that ADUs generally cannot be in the front yard (though SB-897 passed Aug 2022 will limit city’s ability to enforce this). They also require a soils report for ADUs >500 sqft. San Marcos allows for digital submissions. Turnaround times at the city are moderate.
Additionally, we have seen San Marcos projects require interaction with the Community Facilities Districts (CFD), which are commonly referred to as Mello-Roos Districts, to finance local public facilities and services. This can add months to the processing time.
