What is an ADU? Santa Barbara Accessory Dwelling Units Explained

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Santa Barbara is a legal and regulatory term for a secondary house that shares the building lot of a larger, primary home. The units cannot be bought or sold separately, but they are often used to provide additional income through rent or to house a family member. We at USModular, are a Santa Barbara ADU builder, specializing in prefabricated construction to save time and money for clients. Prefabricated construction is less disruptive to homeowners and neighborhoods as we can typically complete a project onsite in a few weeks once the home is built in our factory.

About Santa Barbara Home Builders

The team at USModular, Inc. is unique in the industry as we are general contractors, licensed Manufactured Home, Modular Home and Park Model dealers and a licensed Modular and Park Model Factory. Our team is led by a 2nd generation contractor and has combined 100+ years of experience in the Prefabricated Construction industry. We are a ONE-STOP-SHOP – we handle everything: design, permits, site construction, home fabrication, transportation, installation, and utility connections, and then we hand you the keys!

Tiny Home vs ADUs in Santa Barbara

What is the difference between a Tiny Home and an Accessory Dwelling Unit in Santa Barbara?
Sometimes nothing! A Tiny Home, aka a Park Model, is technically an RV that cannot exceed 400 sq. ft. Many cities like San Diego and Santa Barbara allow Tiny Homes / Park Models as ADUs. Many of the Tiny Homes we offer are built for both ANSI and CBC to satisfy local building officials – PLUS, we feel it provides a better-built home. We have many ADU floor plans that include lofts and porches that are not included in the livable space but extend the actual usable space.

ADU Zoning in Santa Barbara

State laws have made it easier to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in every city in California. By right, you can build an 800 sq. ft. ADU, and many areas allow up to 1,200 sq. ft. Santa Barbara ADU Rules allow units to be built on single-family or multifamily residential zoned lots. ADUs are allowed in all residential zones. Parking requirements have been relaxed. Setback Side and Rear have been shrunk to 4’. Permit Fees have been reduced and, in some cases, waived. The bottom line is it’s a good time to add extra space, as laws are in your favor.

Santa Barbara ADU Features and Benefits

Complete Tiny Homes – living room, bedrooms, kitchen, baths
2 x 4 exterior walls
Completely insulated – energy efficient
Tankless water heater – available
Granite/Quartz countertops – available
8’, 9’ or vaulted ceilings – available
Sleeping lofts – available
Fire Resistant – State WUI code – available
Fire Sprinklers – available
Fast to build
Easy to Rent
Minimal disruption to owners and neighbors during construction
Stylish and Trendy

Why Choose a Prefabricated ADU in Santa Barbara?

Prefabricated ADUs and Tiny Homes are built in a factory by a team that works together on a daily basis. Teamwork, Bulk buying power, Smart designs, Save Time and Money! Prefabricated is the future of construction and you can own the future now!!!!!!