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ADU Solutions for Aging in Place in El Cajon
Retirement communities may not feel as comfortable or secure for many older adults as staying in their own homes. The challenge lies in providing the care they need without increasing costs, while also adding value to the home. This article presents an easy solution to tackle these issues.
Adding an ADU to your property is a great way to offer seniors a comfortable and secure place to live. These small, independent units can be customized for safety and convenience. ADUs allow seniors to stay near their loved ones and stay connected to their neighborhood, with the added benefit of being adaptable for other purposes later on.
Understanding ADUs and their Benefits for Aging in Place in El Cajon
What is an ADU?
An ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is a small living space built on the same property as a main home. These units, often called granny flats or backyard cottages, come with their own kitchen, bathroom, and living area. They can be a separate building, an addition to the main house, or a converted area like a garage.
Benefits of ADUs for Aging in Place
1. Affordable Living
ADUs provide a cost-effective option for seniors who prefer to stay out of retirement homes. Families can remain together on the same property, reducing living expenses while staying close.
2. Safety and Comfort
ADUs can be specially designed for seniors with features that improve safety and ease, such as ramps, wider doors, grab bars, and slip-resistant floors.
3. Future Flexibility
ADUs can be repurposed in the future to accommodate caregivers, and other family members, or even rented out for extra income.
4. Stay Close to Family
For many seniors, moving away from family can be hard. ADUs allow them to live independently while staying nearby, ensuring they’re close to the people they care about.
Not sure which ADU option is right for you or your property?
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How do you improve the property to fit your elderly parent?
Begin by assessing how your parent is managing on their own and consider what kind of assistance they might need in the future. Planning for what’s ahead can be challenging, but it’s crucial to get started.
If your parent is mostly independent but has difficulty with stairs, creating a living space all on one level could be a good solution. This means putting essential rooms like the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living area on the same floor.
Instead of making costly changes to the main house, adding a separate unit like an ADU could be a more straightforward option. Whether it’s attached to the house or a separate building, an ADU gives your parent their own space while keeping them close to family.
If you're not living in the main house, you could consider renting it to someone who can help your parent when necessary. Although you may not get as much rent, having someone nearby to assist could be a worthwhile trade-off.
What are the economics of building an ADU for the aging-in-place scenario?
The good thing is that many older couples have already paid off their mortgage. If that’s true for your parents, you could consider getting a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) to finance the cost of building an ADU. Once the ADU is ready and your parents move into it, you could rent out the main house to help cover the HELOC payments. The important part is making sure the rent from the main house is enough to cover those payments. It might sound tricky, but using an example to calculate the costs can make it clearer.
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 El Cajon is $442,320. A loan that has a 6.5% interest rate, requires a monthly payment of $2,796. 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 $613,200 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 El Cajon
Where can ADUs be built?
ADUs can be added to both single-family and multi-family properties.
What is the maximum size and height of an ADU in a single-family zone?
In single-family zones, an ADU can be up to 1,200 square feet and 14 feet tall.
What is the maximum size and height of an ADU in a multi-family zone?
In multi-family zones, an ADU can reach 1,200 square feet and 20 feet in height.
What is the minimum setback for an ADU?
The minimum setback for an ADU in El Cajon is 4 feet.
What are the safety regulations for an ADU?
According to California law, a fire sprinkler system is only needed in an ADU if the main house has one.
Is independent access from the main house required?
Yes, an ADU should have an entrance that is separate from the main house.
What should be considered when designing an ADU for seniors?
For seniors, consider adding features like ramps, handrails, and entrances without steps for safety. These adjustments might require additional permits.
Can you use a mobile structure as an ADU?
No, mobile homes on temporary foundations are not allowed. ADUs should have a permanent foundation and meet California's building standards.
How fast can you build an ADU?
Building an ADU typically takes between 3 and 6 months, depending on how long it takes to get permits, finalize the design, and complete the construction.
What are the rules for ADU ownership in El Cajon?
Is the property owner required to live in the main house?
The El Cajon Municipal Code does not specify if the property owner should live in the main house.
What are the rental regulations for an ADU?
Renting an ADU requires a minimum rental period of 30 days.
What permits are needed for an ADU?
To build an ADU, you will need a building permit that covers plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems. After submitting your application, the county will review it and decide within 60 days if the ADU is connected to an existing home.
Resources and Where to Start in El Cajon
To get started, El Cajon residents can reach out to the El Cajon City Planning Department for ADU guidelines and zoning details.
Don't miss leave money on the table! ADU Analysis shows you the largest ADU size you can build on your property to get the best return.
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