Contemporary ADU Rental in Cardiff
Starlight Drive, Encinitas, CA 92007
Homeowner Story: Generate rental income
Other Features: Deck
Special Circumstance: Septic, Coastal Zone
Homeowner InterviewContemporary ADU Built Alongside Main Home Renovation
This family purchased a property with a vision for multigenerational living and to generate rental income. While renovating the main residence, they partnered with SnapADU to design and permit a contemporary ADU that would complement their updated home.
The ADU project was located in the coastal zone and required coordination not only with the local jurisdiction but also with the County of San Diego due to a shared septic system. With careful planning, the family moved back into the main house just in time to watch their ADU come to life.
“SnapADU was really good on the communication and just keeping you on track with the project. They were on budget, on time… I think they even came in ahead of time of what they originally projected. You can just tell everyone is trained really well. Every single team member along the way had a great attitude, was all over it, great on communication. I don’t know if I got the special treatment or what, but it felt like it, so it was awesome. I talked to SnapADU maybe 30 times throughout the process… and then there was this beautiful home in my yard.” – Zach Adamson, Homeowner in Cardiff
Functional, Contemporary ADU Layout with Modern Comfort
This 1,000 square foot contemporary ADU offers a practical yet stylish layout. The L-shaped floor plan was designed to maximize flow and functionality.
Key Features of the Floor Plan:
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Three Bedrooms & Two Bathrooms: One bedroom includes an ensuite bath, while the other two bedrooms share a full bath located in the hallway.
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Open Living & Kitchen Area: The central great room features a seamless connection between the living area and kitchen, making the space feel bright and open.
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Kitchen Island: A large island adds both prep space and seating, ideal for meals and entertaining.
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In-Unit Laundry: A dedicated laundry area adds convenience without compromising living space.
This floor plan delivers the ideal balance of space and livability whether used as a family home, flex space, or rental unit. The property owners are currently renting out the unit furnished for periods of more than 30 days to comply with ADU rules.
“I actually cannot say enough amazing things about SnapADU. Not only did they build an incredible ADU, on-time and on budget where they went above and beyond on to help overcome unique site conditions, but now they continue exceed expectations 2 years later. I reached out and let them know that our water heater had rusted out and needed to be replaced. We had just passed our warranty period so it felt like we were going to have to pay for an entirely new water heater. Enter SnapADU stage left. The called and fought the water heater company, showing how their product was faulty. They got a free replacement water heater AND THEY COVERED THE FEES FOR INSTALL!! Honestly, if the world work more like SnapADU, it would be a better place. High integrity, always going above and beyond. Thank you SNAP FAM!” – Zach Adamson, Homeowner in Cardiff
Floor Plan:
3BR/2BA 36×31 L-Shape
Community:
The Encinitas ADU Guide
With more than 20 ADU projects completed or in progress throughout Encinitas, we’ve seen firsthand how the city’s regulations and permitting processes compare to other jurisdictions throughout San Diego County.
More than half of our Encinitas projects have been located within the Coastal Zone. Unlike some coastal jurisdictions, Encinitas ADU projects generally experience little to no additional time or cost associated with coastal permitting. Because the City’s Local Coastal Program has been updated to align with California ADU laws, most homeowners find the coastal review process to be relatively straightforward. Learn more about building an ADU in the Coastal Zone.
We’ve also worked on a wide variety of project types throughout Encinitas, including septic properties, HOA communities, two-story ADUs, multiunit developments, and custom ADUs for aging parents.
Encinitas ADU Permitting
Most ADU permits in Encinitas are approved within approximately 4 to 5 months after submission. Unlike many coastal jurisdictions, properties within the Coastal Zone generally experience similar permitting timelines because ADUs are largely treated as ministerial approvals under current regulations.
Historically, Encinitas has had some of the lowest ADU permit fees in San Diego County. Permit costs have often averaged approximately $2-4/sqft, though homeowners planning ADUs of 750 square feet or larger should review the City’s updated development impact fee schedule, which took effect July 20, 2026. ADUs over 750 square feet will have permit fees closer to the $18/sqft mark. Learn more about the new Development Impact Fee Schedule.
Encinitas Permit Ready ADU Program (PRADU)
Encinitas was one of the early adopters of permit-ready ADU plans through its Permit-Ready Accessory Dwelling Unit (PRADU) Program. The program provides homeowners with a collection of pre-approved ADU designs intended to reduce upfront design costs and simplify the permitting process.
The City now offers both its original PRADU plans and private-party preapproved plans through California’s AB1332 preapproval framework. These plans can provide a useful starting point for homeowners seeking a faster and more standardized design process.
However, homeowners should understand that site-specific plans, engineering, and permitting documents are still required. Based on our experience building several PRADU projects, permitting timelines are often similar to traditional ADU plans because every property must still be evaluated for grading, utilities, fire requirements, and other site-specific conditions.
Many homeowners ultimately choose between permit-ready, standard, semi-custom, and fully custom plans based on their goals, budget, and desired level of personalization. Read more about the pros and cons of pre-approved ADUs.
