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ADU Solutions for Aging in Place in Paramount
A lot of older adults in California choose to remain in their own homes instead of moving to a retirement community because they feel more at ease in a familiar environment. The challenge is how to make this work without increasing costs, ensure they get the care they need, and improve the property's value. This article offers an easy solution to help manage these issues.
Adding an ADU to your property is a great way to create a safe and personalized living area. These compact homes are ideal for older adults, providing an affordable and flexible solution that keeps them close to loved ones, while easily adapting to their changing needs.
Understanding ADUs and their Benefits for Aging in Place in Paramount
What is an ADU?
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a smaller home built on the same property as the main house. It can be a separate structure, attached to the main home, or even a converted garage. With essential features like a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, ADUs provide a cozy and independent living space for older adults while keeping them close to family.
Benefits of ADUs for Aging in Place
Long-Term Flexibility
ADUs offer long-term flexibility, allowing homeowners to adjust the use of the space as their needs change over time. Whether used for family members, or caregivers or rented out for extra income, ADUs can adapt to different life stages, making them a smart investment for the future.
Close to Family and Support
For elderly individuals, leaving a long-time home can be highly disruptive. Being surrounded by friends and a familiar support network is crucial, and adjusting to a new environment requires significant energy. By placing an ADU on the same property as family members, seniors can maintain their independence while being close enough for support when needed. This setup ensures peace of mind for both the elderly and their families.
Cost-Effective
Building an ADU is often more affordable than moving to a retirement facility. It also saves families money by enabling multiple generations to live together, eliminating the need for additional properties.
Customizable for Safety and Accessibility
ADUs can be specially designed to meet the needs of seniors, with features like single-level layouts, wider doorways, grab bars, and non-slip floors, helping seniors with limited mobility carry out daily tasks more safely and comfortably.
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?
As parents get older, they may feel isolated, which can impact their mental and physical health. When designing or updating an ADU for your elderly parent, it's important to prioritize both their comfort and ways to keep them connected with family and their community.
An ADU provides your parent with a private living space, but because it’s on the same property as the main house, it’s easy for family members to visit and offer help when needed. To reduce loneliness, consider creating spaces where your parent can socialize, such as a cozy living room or a small dining area for family meals. Adding outdoor areas like a porch or garden gives them a place to relax and chat with neighbors.
Mobility can be a challenge for some older adults. Features like wheelchair ramps, brighter lighting, and comfortable seating can make it easier for them to get around and engage with others, both inside and outside the ADU.
Placing the ADU close to the main house allows your parent to remain independent, yet still stay connected with family support. This combination of privacy and easy access helps reduce isolation, benefiting both their emotional well-being and physical health.
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 Paramount is $522,036. A loan that has a 6.5% interest rate, requires a monthly payment of $3,299. 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 $600,000 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 Paramount
Where can ADUs be built?
ADUs are allowed in all residential and mixed-use zones that allow for residential buildings.
What is the maximum size and height of an ADU in a single-family zone?
In Paramount, an ADU on a single-family property can be as large as 1,000 square feet and up to 25 feet tall.
What is the maximum size and height of an ADU in a multi-family zone?
In multi-family zones in Paramount, the size and height limits are the same as in single-family zones: 1,000 square feet and 25 feet tall.
What is the minimum setback for an ADU?
The minimum setback for an ADU in Paramount is 4 feet.
What are the safety regulations for an ADU?
Fire sprinklers are only required in an ADU if the main house is also required to have them. Building an ADU does not automatically require the main house to have sprinklers.
Is independent access from the main house required?
Yes, the ADU should have its entrance, separate from the main house.
What should be considered when designing an ADU for seniors?
To make the ADU safer and more accessible for seniors, you should include features like ramps, handrails, and easy-to-navigate doorways. These changes might require additional permits.
Can you use a mobile structure as an ADU?
No, mobile homes cannot be used as ADUs because they do not have a permanent foundation. ADUs should meet California's building standards and be securely placed on a stable foundation.
How fast can you build an ADU?
Building an ADU usually takes between 3 to 6 months, depending on how long the permit process, design, and construction take.
What are the rules for ADU ownership in Paramount?
Is the property owner required to live in the main house?
The property owner is expected to live in either the ADU or the main house as their primary residence.
What are the rental regulations for an ADU?
In most cases, ADUs are limited to being rented for periods of at least 30 days, though Paramount’s code doesn’t explicitly mention this rule.
What permits are needed for an ADU?
To build or convert an ADU, you'll need a building permit, which typically covers construction, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work.
Resources and Where to Start in Paramount
To get started, Paramount residents can reach out to the Paramount 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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