First thing to do is check with the city or county to make sure the ADU would be permitted to be a STR.

Timing your permits and applications might be tricky.

For instance, in New York State, it's not permitted to collect last month's rent, additional security deposits beyond one month's rent, or pet deposits.Regarding the carpet issue, even tenants without pets can sometimes leave carpets in less-than-ideal condition after a couple of years.

In many/most places you can pull permits and do work on your primary residence yourself, but you need to be a contractor licensed/insured to do that in the rental units.

Plus they are just lovely to work with.And yes a 15 year veteran in both residential and commercial construction, we pull permits. 

Duplex have different zoning that may permit additional units.

A lot of homes have had bathroom and kitchen modifications without permits.

In Los Angeles at least I see a lot of flips with no permits.

Hi everyone,I'm looking to invest in short-term rentals in California but want to focus on markets that have a relatively smooth and less restrictive process for obtaining permits.

Will I still be permitted to file an affidavit of memorandum EVEN THOUGH my closing date has now come and gone and I am technically in breach of contract?