Mediterranean Cottage Style ADU for Young Family
Via Cancion, San Marcos, CA 92078
Homeowner Story: House younger family
Other Features: Garage, Covered porch
Special Circumstance: Septic
Homeowner InterviewA Cottage Style ADU in San Marcos Vineyard
“We didn’t want anything that looked like a prefab. We wanted something that fit with the aesthetic of the vineyard – a more rustic Italian look – and SnapADU really brought that vision to life.” – Marina & Will Evans, Homeowners in San Marcos
This beautiful property in San Marcos is located on a working vineyard. The homeowner wanted to share her estate with her newly married daughter and son-in-law, to give them the opportunity to save up to purchase their own home in the future. This custom cottage style 1200 sqft, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom ADU with an attached garage has a large open concept kitchen and great room, with an island, fireplace, and French doors leading out to a large deck overlooking the property.
Overcoming Design Challenges
The design phase of this project was particularly challenging since the new cottage style ADU is situated on a hillside. Additionally, ADU regulations in San Marcos were changing during the design phase, requiring close coordination with the city to ensure compliance. The property also has a septic system, which was expanded to accommodate the two new bathrooms in the ADU.
“They worked closely with us to ensure we got exactly what we wanted, from the chimney design inspired by Italy to the large master bathroom. I would definitely recommend SnapADU. They were communicative, transparent, and overcame any challenges that came up during the process.” – Marina & Will Evans, Homeowners in San Marcos
A Thoughtfully Designed Floor Plan
This cottage style ADU layout maximizes space while providing modern conveniences. Both bedrooms are positioned on the same side of the unit, ensuring a cohesive and private living space. The primary suite features a walk-in closet and an en suite bathroom with dual vanities. The second bedroom also includes an en suite bathroom, which has an additional door for shared access from the great room.
How We Built a 1200 Sqft ADU in San Marcos
You might be wondering how we built a 1200 sqft ADU in San Marcos when the current maximum size is 1000 sqft. This unit was permitted back in 2020 before San Marcos established its own ADU size restrictions, meaning the State law, which allows up to 1200 sqft, was still in effect at the time.
By blending a rustic aesthetic with thoughtful design, this cottage style ADU seamlessly integrates into the vineyard landscape while providing a comfortable and functional home for extended family.
Read more about multigenerational homes.
Floor Plan:
2BR/2BA 48×31 L-Shape
Community:
The San Marcos ADU Guide
SnapADU is proud to have been selected by the City of San Marcos to design their pre-approved ADU plans through a competitive bid process with over two dozen applicants. This recognition highlights our expertise in delivering high-quality, efficient, and fully compliant ADU designs as well as our experience in the city. Read more about pre-approved ADU plans.
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.
What is the CFD process in San Marcos for ADUs?
A CFD is a “community facility district” that residents of the city previously voted on to create the ability for the City to collect “developer impact fees” to cover the cost associated with providing services to the residents. These fees go towards building roads, fire stations, and other public services. Every new development project in San Marcos is subject to the CFD Charge, including ADUs. California state ADU laws do not prohibit the City from assessing CFD charges.
Owners can satisfy the CFD requirement in one of two ways:
1) Vote to annex into the district, which creates a annual assessment with your property taxes (usually $1K-$2K); or
2) Pay a one -time In-Lieu Fee (typically $100K-$200K)
Only the property owners of a property/development vote on this annexation – no neighbors or 3rd parties. The City Council certifies CFD votes 4 times per year. This means that typically 3-4 months will be added to the permitting process.
