Corner Lot ADU in San Marcos

Maximizing a Corner Lot: How One San Marcos Family Built the Perfect Backyard ADU

A mother in San Marcos set out to build an ADU in her daughter’s backyard. What made this project especially successful was how the corner lot created opportunities for both design flexibility and privacy. This unique property layout allowed us to orient the new 870sqft, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom ADU to maximize the available space while maintaining separation between the main home and the new unit.

In this case, we took one of our standard ADU plans and customized it to suit the homeowner’s vision. She wanted a comfortable, accessible space for herself that would also accommodate visits from her son, who uses a wheelchair. We enlarged the guest bathroom and widened doorways throughout to ensure smooth navigation. These thoughtful design changes were made to ensure her son could visit and navigate the space with ease and independence. Read more about custom ADUs.

Another key benefit of the corner lot? It allowed for a thoughtfully designed outdoor space. The ADU overlooks a newly created shared courtyard between the two homes, while preserving individual privacy. The layout encourages connection between generations, yet still provides a sense of independence for each household.

Whether for multigenerational living or rental income, corner lots offer standout potential for building ADUs. This San Marcos project is a perfect example of how strategic design can make the most of that opportunity.