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ADU Solutions for Aging in Place in Agoura Hills

Aging in place is a priority for many older adults in California who prefer the comfort, familiarity, and independence of staying in their own homes and communities rather than moving to senior living facilities. The key is to find a sustainable solution that wouldn't incur additional monthly expenses while you have someone keeping an eye on your parents and increasing the value of this property. We figured out the solution for you, which is laid out in this article.

ADUs offer a practical solution by creating accessible and customizable living spaces on your family’s property. These small, independent units can be designed with safety features and personalized layouts that suit seniors' needs, enabling affordable, long-term living options that maintain community connections and provide flexibility for future uses.

Understanding ADUs and their Benefits for Aging in Place in Agoura Hills

What is an ADU?

An ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is a small, separate living space on the same property as a main house. Also known as granny flats, in-law units, or backyard cottages, it is fully equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, and living areas. ADUs can be built as attached, detached, or by converting an existing space in the main house.

Benefits of ADUs for Aging in Place

Close to Family and Support

Moving from your own house, after living for many years, is very disruptive for elderly people. They have friends and they’re surrounded by social support. Adjusting to a new place means for them to spend a lot of additional energy. Having an ADU on the same property as family members allows seniors to live independently while being close enough for support when needed. This setup offers comfort and security for both seniors and their families.

Cost-Effective

Building an ADU is often less expensive than moving to a retirement home. It also helps families save money by allowing multiple generations to live together without the need for extra properties.

Customizable for Safety and Accessibility

ADUs can be designed with features like single-story layouts, wider doors, grab bars, and non-slip floors to make daily tasks safer and easier for seniors with limited mobility.

Long-Term Flexibility

ADUs are flexible spaces. They can be used by family members or caregivers or even rented out for extra income if they’re no longer needed for senior living. This versatility makes them a valuable investment for the future.

Not sure which ADU option is right for you or your property?

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How to improve the property to fit your elderly parent?

First of all, you need to assess their current ability of independent living and start to plan for when things will get worse. Sorry for the bad news here.

If they are still independent but it’s difficult for them to walk up and down the stairs to get to their bedroom, then it’s time to live on the same level. This means that you need to provide them with all the amenities (living area, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, entrance door, etc.) at the same level.

Since remodeling the existing house to meet this new lifestyle is very costly, difficult, and disruptive, the best solution is to build a separate living quarter such as an ADU. Whether the ADU is attached or detached from the primary house, it offers privacy, and the family that would rent the main house could assist immediately in case of need.

In case you, as the child of the elderly parent, are not planning to move into the main house, you could rent it to a family that would agree to assist your parents. In this case, even if you might get a lower rent, the difference is worth your peace of mind.

What are the economics of building an ADU for the aging-in-place scenario?

The good part is that most of the aged couples have already paid off their mortgage for the property. If this is the situation in your case, then you can get a HELOC to pay for the cost of an ADU. Once the ADU is completed and your folks move in, you can rent the main house to start to make the payments for the HELOC. Now, the key is to be able to rent the existing house for an amount large enough to cover the HELOC payments. It may sound complicated, but you can take this example to run your numbers.

Let's consider that your parents would be happy to live in a 2 bedroom with 2 bath ADU. The size for such an ADU is approx. 1,200 sq. ft. The cost of a 1,200 sq. ft. ADU in Agoura Hills is $520,020. A loan that has a 6.5% interest rate, requires a monthly payment of $3,286. Ideally, you could rent the main house with at least the same amount as your payments for the HELOC. This way you'll break even on your monthly expenses, while you're having someone keeping an eye on your parents and increasing the value of this property.

Besides providing the right living spaces for your parents at potentially break-even costs per month, this ADU could add around $780,000 to the property’s market value if you decide to sell.

ADUs can increase the value of your property. Learn how much they could add.

ADU design restrictions in Agoura Hills

Where can ADUs be built?

ADUs are allowed in the RV (residential-very low density), RL (residential-low density), RS (residential-single-family), RM (residential-medium density), RH (residential-high density), CS-MU (commercial shopping center-mixed use), and OS-R (open space-restricted) zones or any area where residential development is allowed.

What is the maximum size and height of an ADU in a single-family zone?

The maximum size of an ADU in a single-family zone is 1,000 square feet, with a height limit of 16 feet.

What is the maximum size and height of an ADU in a multi-family zone?

The maximum size and height of an ADU in a multi-family zone are the same as in a single-family zone

What is the minimum setback for an ADU?

The minimum setback for an ADU in Agoura Hills is 4 feet.

What are the safety regulations for an ADU?

If the main house is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system, the ADU should also have one installed.

Is independent access from the main house required?

For attached ADUs, there must be separate exterior access from the main house, with no internal connection allowed.

What should be considered when designing an ADU for seniors?

ADUs intended for aging in place in Agoura Hills may need specific adjustments or permits for accessibility improvements, such as ramps, handrails, or no-step entryways.

Can you use a mobile structure as an ADU?

No, mobile structures rely on temporary supports like concrete piers. ADUs should be built on a permanent foundation and meet the California Building Code or California Residential Code.

How fast can you build an ADU?

An ADU can typically be built in 3 to 6 months, depending on factors like permits, design, and construction conditions.

What are the rules for ADU ownership in Agoura Hills?

Is the property owner required to live in the main house?

No, the property owner does not need to live in either the main house or the ADU.

What are the rental regulations for an ADU?

ADUs can only be rented out for periods longer than 30 consecutive days.

What permits are needed for an ADU?

An ADU requires both an ADU permit and a building permit. The ADU should meet the development standards of Agoura Hills, and if the application meets all requirements, the community development director (or the director's designee) will approve it within 60 days.

Resources and Where to Start in Agoura Hills

To get started, Agoura Hills residents can reach out to the Agoura Hills City Planning Department for ADU guidelines and zoning details.