Adding extra living space on your property comes with an array of benefits, but many people quickly become consumed with zoning information and legalities before noticing the far-reaching benefits. While some may look to extend their homes, another option is building an ADU on your Redding, CA property.
ADU stands for accessory dwelling units, which are small structures that can be used for a variety of purposes, from housing guests to a home office, even as a rental space. Building an ADU isn’t as complex as one might think if you have the right resource available. If you’re considering building an ADU, read below to discover the construction basics and requirements for an Accessory Dwelling Unit in Shasta County.
Benefits of Building ADUs
Accessory Dwelling Units offer as many options as another room in your house, though, as we at HiLine Homes do it, feature all the amenities of any other home:
Caregiver Quarters
When loved ones reach a point where they need additional care or cannot live as independently as they once could, an ADU can offer privacy and independence for your loved ones without the threat of isolationism, a nursing home, or the risk of help being too far away.
Guest House
We may love family visiting for the holidays, but not the extra wait at the bathroom or crowded personal space. Having an ADU on your property keeps the in-laws and family members in their own space while remaining a good host sans the cramped space stress.
Remote Office & Personal Gym
If you miss having a work and home mental space, complete with different environments, an ADU may be the trick you need if returning to the office isn’t or won’t be an option. Many people have reported missing going to a separate space for their job, being uncomfortable with blurring the home/work mental spaces, and being easily distracted by the comfort of their house. Now, you can leave the house for work while still avoiding a stressful commute.
This also works for the gym-space mentality. Many people skip out on their workouts because the gym is intimidating, expensive, or the commute to it. Now, it’s a brisk walk away and can even count as a warm-up.
Extra-Income
With the rise in rental apps and websites, an ADU on your property can bring in a nice chunk of change. Many people are weary of letting strangers stay in their homes, and fewer have a separate home to rent out, let alone all the headaches that come with it. An Accessory Dwelling Unit can be a separate short-term or monthly living space for the tenant while providing extra cash flow for you and a comfortable and affordable option for them.
ADUs are more than just a guest suite, they are closer to a mini-home and provide a sustainable long-term housing investment with the same connections any house would have.
Building an ADU on Rural Land
The construction of ADUs on your property depends on the local housing ordinances, determining the ability, size, and location. Our HiLine Home Consultants are familiar with local zoning and can break down your project into more manageable stages, guiding you through the process of building your ADU.
First Steps
Before you begin your ADU project, it’s a good idea to have a sense of how you’ll use it. This will give you a better frame of development and the expected building costs, better managing your expectations on the project. Take a look at this checklist as a guide for the first steps of your ADU project:
- Schedule a HiLine Homes Building Consultation
- Check with county and city for zone regulations
- Determine if your wastewater system is adequate
- Know how to access your existing water supply
- Determine property lines and the building site
- Find an ADU home plan
- Acquire Financing & set budget
-
Start the building permits process
(or Order your HiLine Home)
Redding & California State Laws Regarding ADUs
Housing demands and the lack of space in California have created affordability concerns for a great deal of citizens. The rising cost for renters and density of housing is affecting commuting traffic, and pushing further sprawl. Building an ADU on your property helps to address both the quality of life and affordability elements as the property owner doesn’t have to purchase new land, or consider greater parking or other infrastructure to support it.
California has established new policies that give home and property owners flexibility in creating additional housing on an existing lot. Originally, Redding’s ADU code made it mandatory for property owners to either live in the ADU or the main house. However, a new state law went into effect, enabling property owners throughout the state who are approved to build an ADU between January 1, 2020, and January 1, 2025, not to have to live on the property. Here is a summary of the new ADU rules that have gone into effect:
- Flexible ADU sizes and setback requirements
- Multi-family and duplexes can have ADUs
- Local agencies cannot have stricter requirements than the state code
- Anything under 750 square feet cannot be charged an impact fee
- Must approve the permit in 60 days or less if there is an existing home on the lot
- HOAs cannot prohibit or unreasonably restrict ADUs
Due to this change in California state law, Redding amended their zoning ordinance on ADUs, and it went into effect on January 16th, 2021. Under California state regulations, if the ADU maximum height, bedroom, and design restrictions are not established at the local level, then the underlying code’s height requirements will apply.
Building an ADU in Redding & Surrounding Areas Criteria
California considers a detached ADU as a self-contained, residential unit that is located on the same lot as an existing single or multi-family home. This translates to an ADU requiring its own bathroom and electric meter no matter the city or country, but each local government has its own requirements beneath the state level:
ADU Codes for Redding, CA
- No minimum lot size requirement
- A detached ADU can be up to 1,000 square feet but must also have its own separate exterior entrance.
- On multi-family lots, multiple ADUs can be constructed
- Owner occupancy isn’t required
- The ADU can’t be used for short-term rentals but must be rented for periods of 30 days or more.
ADU Codes for Shasta County
Shasta County has a similar level of requirements to the City of Redding. While Shasta County also has no minimum lot size for an ADU project. There are a few differences in the Shasta County code:
- A single-family and multi-family property ADU cannot exceed 1200 square feet or 50% of the primary residence living space.
- Impact fees are calculated like a single-family residence.
- ADU utility service allowance varies depending on lot size and availability of public water and wastewater.
Like Redding code, you cannot sell an ADU separately from a family residence on the same lot but may have rentals for 30 days or longer.
ADU Codes for Trinity County
ADUs are only allowed to be built in residential or mixed-use zones but do not have a minimum lot size per California law.
Unincorporated Trinity County areas do not have requirements for:
- Number of bedrooms
- Height
- Design restrictions
- Shape, materials, or style
Because California law does not define these areas, the existing building code for Trinity County will determine what can be done in these areas.
ADU Codes for Siskiyou County
Siskiyou County has adopted the California ADU ordinances. However, it is required for property owners to consult with Cal-Fire to confirm that your project site will meet fire response regulations and building feasibility. Cities within Siskiyou County, like Yreka, have their own requirements that follow California state law.
ADU Codes for Tehama County
Tehama County has adopted the California Building Code regarding ADUs. Some highlights of how they implemented the codes:
- The ADU cannot exceed 50 percent of the existing living area with a maximum of 1200 square feet
- The ADU must conform to the height, setbacks, lot coverage, site plan review, fees, charges, and other zoning requirements
- Cannot be sold separately from primary residence but can be rented
Cities within the county, like Red Bluff, have some of their own underlying building code that will determine the height, style, and the number of bedrooms allowed for an ADU since California law does not define those areas.
ADU Local Ordinances and Regulations
We have compiled a list of helpful resources for building an ADU in Redding, CA area:
Common ADU FAQs for Building in Redding
How long does it take to build an ADU?
9 to 14 months on average
Can ADUs be rented?
Only to long-term renters that stay 30 days or more
Does the owner need to live on the property that the ADU is built on?
Currently, California law does not require property owners to live on the property
Does building an ADU affect property value?
Yes! It increases both your property value and can provide rental income.
Does building an ADU affect property taxes?
As your property value increases, so will your property taxes. An ADU will add value to your property.
- 1 bed
- 1 bath
- 800 sq ft.
- 1 bed
- 1 bath
- 500 sq ft.
- 1 bed
- 1 bath
- 500 sq ft.
Why Build an ADU with HiLine Homes
For nearly 30 years, HiLine Homes has assisted families in building an affordable home with the opportunity of acquiring sweat equity. We have successfully used the “on your lot” building program to develop a construction process that streamlines building ADUs or your custom home in the Redding area. Whether you already own a piece of land or are currently searching for the perfect lot, HiLine Homes is on your side with experts to guide you every step.
We realize securing financing can be one of the most stressful parts of building an ADU. Together with our Home Consultants, our approved lenders can help you find the best financing solutions to get you into your perfect home or build an ADU on your existing property.
Don’t know where to start? We can help you there too! Whether you are looking for a guest house or need something bigger, our building program is designed to support you with solutions.
