The cost to build a 500-square-foot ADU like our Katsura typically ranges from $175,000 to $250,000, depending on factors like materials, finishes, site conditions, and permitting requirements. Whether you're looking for a cozy 1-bedroom or exploring options to expand into a compact 1-2 bedroom layout, costs can vary based on your customization options. We also offer semi-custom plans that blend efficiency with personalization, giving you flexibility without starting from scratch. Our 500-square-foot design is a great foundation to build from, and we provide personalized estimates based on your goals, budget, and property specifics to help you make the most of your investment.

Yes! A 500-square-foot ADU house like the Katsura is absolutely allowed in San Diego County—and it often benefits from easier zoning compliance and faster permitting. Many homeowners find that smaller floor plan designs like this fit well within local setback and lot coverage limits, making approval smoother with the building department. Plus, ADUs under 750 sq ft may qualify for fee reductions or exemptions, helping lower overall costs. Our team handles all construction details and navigates the construction processes for you, ensuring your ADU project moves efficiently from design to completion without unnecessary delays.

Absolutely! The Katsura ADU house, with its efficient 500 sq ft ADU footprint, is an ideal option for generating additional income through long-term rentals or short-term Airbnb stays. Thanks to San Diego’s strong rental market, many homeowners successfully offset their mortgage or property taxes by renting out this flexible space. Whether you choose a custom project or work from one of our optimized floor plan designs, the Katsura offers a smart, self-contained guest space or rental unit that feels like home. With our expert custom design services, we ensure your ADU is tailored perfectly to attract tenants and maximize your property’s potential.

You’ll be amazed at how much functionality a 500 sq ft ADU like the Katsura can offer! This smart layout includes a private bedroom with a walk-in closet, a full bathroom, in-unit laundry, and an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area—with plenty of counter space to support everyday living. It’s a blend of space efficiency and comfort, making it an excellent choice for homeowners who want the benefits of a smaller primary dwelling or guest unit. By optimizing vertical space and incorporating multifunctional furniture, the Katsura transforms compact spaces into a bright, open environment that feels far larger than the footprint suggests.

A 1-bedroom ADU like the Katsura is an excellent investment for homeowners who need a flexible living solution. It’s ideal for aging parents, adult children, remote workers, or anyone looking to create private retreats for guests—all within a compact footprint that doesn’t demand a large lot. Despite its size, the Katsura offers a spacious bedroom and a smart layout that ensures a balance of privacy and connection to the main house. Built on an existing or proposed single-family home, this ADU also qualifies for a variety of financing options, making it even easier to add versatile living space and boost property value.

Building a 500 sq ft ADU house like the Katsura typically takes about 6 to 10 months from start to finish—including design, building permit approvals, construction, and final inspection. Choosing from our build-ready and semi-custom options can often lead to faster construction times, especially if you're looking to streamline the process. Factors like site conditions, customization level, and your construction budget can also influence the timeline. Throughout the project, our team is here to answer all your building questions and ensure your ADU is completed efficiently, beautifully, and with minimal stress.

Pre-approved accessory dwelling unit designs can help speed up the permitting process and lower initial design fees, but they often offer less flexibility when it comes to layout and design aesthetic. In contrast, our custom ADU designs, like the Katsura ADU house, are fully tailored to your property's layout, your lifestyle needs, and your long-term goals—whether you're building a compact unit or planning for a larger unit later. Custom plans deliver better flow, maximize functionality, and create a truly personal space that adds greater value to your property over time.

Building an ADU like the Katsura may increase your property’s assessed value, but it won’t change the base tax of your primary house. You’ll only be taxed on the value of the additional living space created by the new ADU. In most cases, the efficient living setup and potential rental income from your ADU can more than offset the modest tax increase. Based on our experience with real projects across San Diego County, adding an ADU is often a smart financial move that boosts both property value and overall return on investment.

In most cases, no—you don't need to add fire sprinklers to a 500 sq ft ADU like the Katsura, unless your primary house already has them installed. For average homes, especially those without existing sprinkler systems, this can significantly simplify the project by avoiding extensive construction upgrades. Keeping the ADU detached with a safe, compliant exterior for homeowners also helps minimize added costs while still meeting San Diego County’s safety standards.

Yes! Our house designers can easily adapt the Katsura’s cozy 1-bedroom ADU layout to meet accessibility needs. We can modify the floor plan to include wider doorways, step-free entryways, and ADA-compliant design features like accessible bathrooms and kitchens. By thoughtfully selecting construction materials that enhance mobility and safety, we ensure that your ADU is comfortable, stylish, and practical—perfect for elderly residents, those with mobility challenges, or anyone planning for long-term living flexibility.

A typical 1-bedroom ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) usually ranges between 400 and 800 square feet, depending on design preferences, local zoning regulations, and intended use. Many popular 1-bedroom ADU floor plans, like our Katsura model, fall right around 500 square feet—offering a perfect balance of comfort, functionality, and efficient use of space. A well-designed 1-bedroom ADU can comfortably include a full kitchen, open-concept living and dining areas, a private bedroom with closet space, a full bathroom, and even in-unit laundry, making it ideal for rentals, guest housing, or multigenerational living.

The smallest ADU units are typically Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs), which in many California jurisdictions, including San Diego, are limited to 500 square feet or less. A JADU is often created by converting existing space within a home, like a garage or a large bedroom, and usually includes a small kitchenette and a separate entrance. The absolute minimum size for any ADU—whether detached, attached, or internal—is often set by local building codes, and in California, that minimum is 150 square feet. These ultra-compact units focus on maximizing essentials, offering affordable and flexible living solutions while maintaining privacy and functionality.

The best design tips for 1-bedroom ADU floor plans focus on maximizing space, light, and functionality. Open-concept layouts are key—combining the kitchen, dining, and living areas helps the space feel much larger and more flexible. Prioritize large windows and sliding glass doors to bring in natural light, making even compact ADUs feel airy and inviting. Smart storage solutions like built-in shelving, walk-in closets, and multi-use furniture (such as storage ottomans or fold-away tables) can make a big difference. Also, keeping utilities like laundry and bathroom areas clustered together helps reduce costs and frees up more usable living space. Thoughtful finishes—such as neutral color palettes, clean lines, and minimalist decor—enhance the sense of openness and flow, making small spaces live beautifully.

Popular 1-bedroom ADU floor plan styles vary depending on lifestyle needs and property size, but a few standout options consistently lead the way. Open-concept modern layouts are extremely popular, offering an integrated living, dining, and kitchen area with minimal walls to promote a spacious feel. Detached cottage-style ADUs provide privacy and curb appeal, often featuring charming exterior details like porches or pitched roofs. Garage conversions are also common, transforming underused structures into stylish living spaces. For narrow lots, long and linear "shotgun" layouts maximize every inch without wasted hallways. Finally, L-shaped or square layouts, like our Katsura 500 sq ft plan, are increasingly favored for their ability to create distinct living zones within a compact, highly functional footprint.