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ADU Solutions for Aging in Place in Rancho Palos Verdes
Many older adults in California choose to remain in their homes instead of relocating to retirement communities, as they find comfort in familiar surroundings. The main challenge is figuring out how to make this choice both affordable and practical, while also enhancing the home’s value. This article looks at a simple way to tackle these issues.
Adding an ADU to your property creates a safe and personalized living area customized to individual needs. These compact homes are a practical choice for older adults, providing an affordable way to stay close to loved ones while remaining flexible to accommodate future changes in their lifestyle.
Understanding ADUs and their Benefits for Aging in Place in Rancho Palos Verdes
What is an ADU?
An ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is a smaller living space built on the same property as a main house. It can be a detached structure, attached to the existing home, or a converted garage. These units usually have a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, providing a private living area for seniors while keeping them close to family.
Benefits of ADUs for Aging in Place
Flexible for Changing Needs. ADUs are adaptable, allowing them to serve different purposes as circumstances evolve. They can house family members or caregivers, and if rented out, they can also provide extra income. This makes them a valuable long-term solution.
Close to Family. Being near family is vital for older adults' emotional well-being. Moving to a new place can be difficult, but an ADU lets seniors stay independent while still being close to their loved ones for support.
Affordable Option. Building an ADU is often less expensive than moving into a senior living facility, and it helps reduce overall living costs by allowing extended families to live together on the same property.
Safety and Accessibility. ADUs can be customized for senior safety, featuring things like step-free entrances, wider doors, grab bars, and slip-resistant flooring. These features make the space safer and easier for seniors to navigate.
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?
Designing a living space for an elderly parent involves balancing independence, comfort, and family connection. As people age, loneliness can negatively affect their health and happiness, so it’s important to design an ADU that offers both privacy and opportunities for socializing.
An ADU provides a private place for your parent while keeping them close to the main house, so family members can easily visit or provide help when needed. To promote interaction, include a cozy living room or a small dining area for shared meals. Outdoor spaces like a porch or garden also give your parent a quiet place to relax and engage with neighbors.
Since mobility can become a challenge with age, consider adding features like wheelchair ramps, bright lights, and comfortable furniture to make it easier for your parent to move around and feel at ease. These changes improve both safety and comfort.
Placing the ADU near the main house offers your parent the independence they need while keeping them close to family support, ensuring they feel cared for and connected, which enhances 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 Rancho Palos Verdes is $517,908. A loan that has a 6.5% interest rate, requires a monthly payment of $3,273. 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 $1,080,000 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 Rancho Palos Verdes
Where can ADUs be built?
ADUs can be built on properties that are zoned for either single-family or multi-family homes.
What is the maximum size and height of an ADU in a single-family zone?
In single-family areas, an ADU can be up to 1,000 square feet in size and 16 feet tall.
What is the maximum size and height of an ADU in a multi-family zone?
The size and height limits for ADUs in multi-family zones are the same as those in single-family zones: 1,000 square feet and a height of 16 feet.
What is the minimum setback for an ADU?
The minimum setback for an ADU in Rancho Palos Verdes is 4 feet.
What are the safety regulations for an ADU?
An ADU is not required to have fire sprinklers unless the main house also needs them.
Is independent access from the main house required?
Yes, the ADU should have an entrance that is separate from the main house.
What should be considered when designing an ADU for seniors?
When designing an ADU for seniors, it's important to include features like ramps, wider doors, and handrails. These adjustments may need special permits.
Can you use a mobile structure as an ADU?
Mobile homes cannot be used as ADUs because they do not have a permanent foundation. ADUs should meet California's building standards.
How fast can you build an ADU?
Building an ADU typically takes 3 to 6 months, including the time for permits, design, and construction.
What are the rules for ADU ownership in Rancho Palos Verdes?
Is the property owner required to live in the main house?
The Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code does not specify if the property owner should live in the main house.
What are the rental regulations for an ADU?
Short-term rentals, like those for less than 30 days, are not allowed in single-family areas, including ADUs.
What permits are needed for an ADU?
To build or convert an ADU, you will need a building permit, which covers things like construction, plumbing, electricity, and other systems.
Resources and Where to Start in Rancho Palos Verdes
To get started, Rancho Palos Verdes residents can reach out to the Rancho Palos Verdes 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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