Skip to content
×
Try PRO Free Today!
BiggerPockets Pro offers you a comprehensive suite of tools and resources
Market and Deal Finder Tools
Deal Analysis Calculators
Property Management Software
Exclusive discounts to Home Depot, RentRedi, and more
$0
7 days free
$828/yr or $69/mo when billed monthly.
$390/yr or $32.5/mo when billed annually.
7 days free. Cancel anytime.
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
California Real Estate Q&A Discussion Forum
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated over 6 years ago on . Most recent reply

Account Closed
  • Incline Village, NV
3
Votes |
6
Posts

ADU options in SF East Bay

Account Closed
  • Incline Village, NV
Posted

Hi all, new here. I'm thinking about an ADU for my owner-occupied SFH property near downtown Lafayette. It's a good location, easy 10 min walk to BART and downtown shops / restaurants, and 2 blocks from great elementary and middle schools.

Currently I have a 2400 sq. ft. main home on a ridiculously large 19,600 sq. ft. lot. Minimum lot size is 10K, so unfortunately I can't split it. ADU seems like the next best option, as a rental for the next 10-15 years, and then potentially housing for boomerang kids after that.

Lafayette zoning code seems relatively permissive on ADUs.  It looks like I can build up to 1200 sq. ft. or 50% of main home, whichever is less (same in my case).  There's a 12 ft. height limit if I put it near the property line, which poses some design limitations, but not insurmountable.  There are parking requirements, but I think I'm exempt because of location < 1/2 mile from BART.

Any thoughts on ideal size / configuration?  Bigger is better?

Good resources for estimating cost, financing, income, cash flow?

I've read differing opinions on whether precut / prefab is possible.  Would love to hear more about that.

If any others have been down this road, would love to hear other thoughts, pitfalls, etc.

I'm also aware of SB827 on the table, which would dramatically upzone everything within 1/2 mile of a BART station.  That's a big wildcard, so perhaps waiting a bit to see how that plays out would be best.

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

553
Posts
314
Votes
Seth Borman
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Phoenix, AZ
314
Votes |
553
Posts
Seth Borman
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Phoenix, AZ
Replied

You need to try to buy 400 SF from a neighbor, or ask the city if they will vacate right of way to you.

Loading replies...