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ADU Solutions for Aging in Place in Bradbury
As they get older, many Californians prefer to remain in their own homes and neighborhoods instead of moving to a retirement home. The challenge, however, is finding a way to make this financially sustainable without increasing monthly expenses, while also ensuring they receive regular support and enhancing the home’s value. This article offers a practical solution that covers all of these concerns.
Building an ADU, a small separate living space on your property, is a great way to add more room. These units offer older adults an affordable option to live close to family while maintaining their independence. And if things change in the future, the space can be repurposed for other uses.
Understanding ADUs and their Benefits for Aging in Place in Bradbury
What is an ADU?
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a small, independent living space located on the same property as a single-family home or apartment building. Often referred to as granny flats or second units, ADUs have everything necessary for independent living, including a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. They can be built as attached, detached, or converted ADUs.
Benefits of ADUs for Aging in Place
- Close to Family. An ADU on a relative’s property lets older adults maintain their independence while staying close to family for support and social interaction.
- More Affordable than Senior Living. Building an ADU is often more affordable than moving to a retirement home, helping families stay together without high housing costs.
- Comfort and Safety. ADUs can be designed with features like wider doors, a single-story layout, and slip-resistant floors, making them safer and more comfortable for seniors with limited mobility.
- Future Flexibility. If the space is no longer needed by an older adult, it can be rented out for extra income or used by other family members, ensuring it remains useful over time.
Not sure which ADU option is right for you or your property?
Capy Construction
How to improve the property to fit your elderly parent?
If your elderly parent is dealing with memory issues, it's important to create a living space that's safe, easy to navigate, and feels familiar. Begin by considering their specific needs, such as adding simple visual cues to help them move around or simplifying the home's layout to avoid confusion.
A one-story ADU with a simple design, including a bedroom, bathroom, and comfortable living area, could be a great fit. To increase safety, add good lighting, grab bars, and furniture with soft edges. In the kitchen, consider open shelves or clear cabinet doors to make it easier to find things.
For extra peace of mind, you could add smart home technology like motion-sensing lights or alerts for unusual movements. This way, your parent can live independently, but you'll feel more confident knowing they’re safe and nearby.
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 Bradbury is $525,996. A loan that has a 6.5% interest rate, requires a monthly payment of $3,324. 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 $720,000 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 Bradbury
Where can ADUs be built?
ADUs can be built in areas that are designated for residential zones.
What is the maximum size and height of an ADU in a single-family zone?
In Bradbury, ADUs in single-family zones can be up to 1,000 square feet and have a height of 16 feet.
What is the maximum size and height of an ADU in a multi-family zone?
Bradbury doesn't set a specific maximum size for ADUs in multi-family zones, but the height limit is 16 feet.
What is the minimum setback for an ADU?
The minimum setback for an ADU in Bradbury is 4 feet from the property lines.
What are the safety regulations for an ADU?
If the main house requires fire sprinklers, the ADU should have them too. Additionally, fire sprinklers are required in an FZADU (Fire Zone ADU) regardless of whether sprinklers are required in the main house. Building an ADU or FZADU will not trigger the need to add sprinklers to the main house.
Is independent access from the main house required?
Yes, an ADU should have its separate exterior access, not shared with the main house.
What should be considered when designing an ADU for seniors?
When designing an ADU for seniors, it's important to include accessible features like ramps, handrails, and wider doorways. Some of these changes may require special permits.
Can you use a mobile structure as an ADU?
No, mobile homes are not allowed as ADUs because they are temporary structures. ADUs should be built on a permanent foundation and meet California's building standards.
How fast can you build an ADU?
Building an ADU usually takes between 3 to 6 months, depending on factors such as permits, design, and construction conditions.
What are the rules for ADU ownership in Bradbury?
Is the property owner required to live in the main house?
From January 1, 2020, to January 1, 2025, there is no requirement for the property owner to live in the main house. Starting January 1, 2025, the owner should live in either the main house or the ADU.
What are the rental regulations for an ADU?
ADUs cannot be rented out for less than 30 days at a time.
What permits are needed for an ADU?
If the ADU follows the city’s guidelines, only a building permit is required to construct it.
Resources and Where to Start in Bradbury
To get started, Bradbury residents can reach out to the Bradbury City Planning Department for ADU guidelines and zoning details.
ADU Analysis shows the maximum ADU size for the best return on your property.
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