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ADU Solutions for Aging in Place in Long Beach

Old age often brings the desire to stay in the comfort of one's own home, and for many older adults in California, aging in place is a top priority. They prefer remaining in familiar surroundings rather than moving to senior care facilities. The challenge is finding a way to do this without incurring extra monthly costs, while also ensuring their care and increasing the property's value. This article offers a practical solution to help achieve this balance.

ADUs provide a smart way to add safe and customized living spaces to your property. These small homes can be designed to meet the specific needs of seniors, offering an affordable and lasting living solution that keeps them close to their community and can be adjusted for different needs in the future.

Understanding ADUs and their Benefits for Aging in Place in Long Beach

What is an ADU?

An ADU, or Accessory Dwelling Unit, is a small living space built on the same property as your main home. It can be a detached unit, attached to the main house, or a converted space like a garage. With features like a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, ADUs are great for those who want to live independently while still being close to family.

Benefits of ADUs for Aging in Place

Customizable for Safety and Comfort
ADUs can be designed to meet the unique needs of older adults. Features like single-story layouts, wider doors, and non-slip floors make them safer and easier to move around. These changes help seniors stay independent while lowering the chances of falls or other accidents.

Flexible for the Future
ADUs are versatile. They can be used by family members or caregivers and later rented out if not needed for senior living. This flexibility makes them a practical, long-term investment that adapts to your family’s changing needs.

Affordable Living Option
Building an ADU is often more affordable than moving to a retirement home. It also lets multiple generations live on the same property, helping save on housing costs.

Stay Close to Family and Support
For older adults, leaving their homes can be hard, as they’re leaving familiar surroundings and friends. An ADU on the same property lets them stay independent while being close enough to family for help and companionship when needed. It’s a comforting and supportive arrangement for everyone.

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

Cali ADU Design + Build

How to improve the property to fit your elderly parent?

As people age, staying socially connected becomes even more important. Losing touch with friends or having fewer opportunities to interact can lead to loneliness, which can negatively affect both mental and physical health. When designing or improving an ADU for your elderly parent, it's important to consider their physical needs while also creating spaces that encourage social interaction.

An ADU is a separate living space with its entrance, but since it's on the same property as the main house, it makes it easier for the family to offer support and interact. To help your parent stay socially engaged, include spaces like a cozy sitting area or a small dining area where family can gather. Outdoor features such as a porch or garden provide a peaceful environment where they can meet neighbors or simply enjoy the outdoors.

Make sure to think about mobility needs to ensure your parent can easily move around and interact with others. Adding features like ramps, brighter lighting, and seating in convenient places can make it easier for them to navigate the space and stay connected with family and the community.

By providing an ADU near the main house, your parent can keep their independence while also being close to family. This balance of privacy, accessibility, and social interaction can improve their overall well-being.

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

The good news is that many older couples have already paid off their home, which gives them more flexibility financially. If this applies to you, you could use a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) to cover the cost of building an ADU. After the ADU is built and your parents move in, you could rent out the main house to help cover the payments on the HELOC. The key is ensuring the rent from the main house is enough to cover those payments. While it might sound a bit tricky, you can use this example to figure out your costs and potential income.

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 Long Beach specifically in Los Cerritos neighborhood is $518,628. A loan that has a 6.5% interest rate, requires a monthly payment of $3,278. 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 $1,140,000 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 Long Beach

Where can ADUs be built?

ADUs can be built in areas designated for single-family or multi-family zones.

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

In Long Beach, an ADU in a single-family zone can be up to 1,000 square feet and 25 feet tall.

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

In a multi-family zone in Long Beach, the height limits for new construction depend on the specific zoning district requirements.

What is the minimum setback for an ADU?

The minimum setback for an ADU in Long Beach is 4 feet.

What are the safety regulations for an ADU?

Although Long Beach doesn’t specifically mention it, if the main house has fire sprinklers, the ADU will generally need them as well.

Is independent access from the main house required?

While Long Beach Municipal Code doesn’t directly address this, most cities require ADUs to have their own separate entrance from the main house.

What should be considered when designing an ADU for seniors?

For a senior, ADU features like ramps, handrails, or no-step entryways may be needed, and additional permits for accessibility might be required.

Can you use a mobile structure as an ADU?

No, mobile homes aren’t allowed because they rely on temporary support. ADUs should be built on a permanent foundation and comply with California building codes.

How fast can you build an ADU?

Typically, it takes about 3 to 6 months to build an ADU, depending on the permitting process, design, and construction conditions.

What are the rules for ADU ownership in Long Beach?

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

Yes, the property owner should live either in the main house or the accessory dwelling unit, unless both units are rented to the same tenant.

What are the rental regulations for an ADU?

ADU rentals should be for periods longer than 30 days.

What permits are needed for an ADU?

To build or convert an ADU, you’ll need a building permit, which covers things like construction, plumbing, electrical work, and other essential systems.

Resources and Where to Start in Long Beach

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

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