Mahogany
1200 SQFT, 3 BED, 2 BATH
Mahogany
1200 SQFT, 3 BED, 2 BATH
Starting from: $420,000
Free modifications to match your needs!
Price Includes:
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Design
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Permit
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Build
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Finish Materials
3 Bedrooms
2 Baths
Long
1200 SQFT
27'-1" x 44'-3 ½"
1 Story
Customize any design to suit your individual needs.
Adjustment options available for your perfect ADU.
In-house designers will adapt any layout to your exact requirements.
Plan Description
The Mahogany 1200 sq ft ADU floor plan offers the perfect blend of functionality, comfort, and style—making it one of the most spacious and livable, 3 bedroom ADU layouts available in San Diego. With a...
Estimate Your ROI with the Mahogany 1200 sq ft ADU
Curious about how much value the Mahogany ADU could bring to your property? Our ROI Calculator takes the guesswork out of your investment.
1,739%
Real Estate
Avg. 6-8%
Stocks
Avg. 5-7%
Savings Account
Avg. 2-4%
A tip from our designer...
Sarah
Interior Designer
Homeowners Love This Layout
Key benefits of a 1200 sq ft, 3 bed, 2 bath ADU
The Mahogany floor plan offers more than just generous square footage—it delivers comfort, flexibility, and long-term value in every inch.
With three full bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open-concept layout, this ADU lives like a full-size home. There's enough space for a growing family, multigenerational households, or long-term renters—without compromising on comfort, privacy, or functionality.
At 1,200 sq ft, this ADU commands premium rents—up to $3,700/month in many San Diego neighborhoods. Whether you're renting to a family, group of professionals, or short-term guests, the Mahogany offers a smart path to consistent and substantial income.
With an average ROI of around 10% and a significant increase in overall property value, this layout pays dividends. Thanks to optimized construction costs per square foot, you get more space—and more return—without breaking your budget.
Need space for aging parents, adult children, or extended family? The Mahogany makes it easy. The private primary suite and dual-bathroom layout allow everyone to live together comfortably while maintaining personal space and independence.
From long-term rentals to guest houses, home offices, or future downsizing, this layout adapts to your needs. With three bedrooms, you can reconfigure the space as your life evolves—making it a future-proof investment.
Every inch of this floor plan is optimized—from the centralized laundry closet and built-in storage to the functional kitchen island and smart bedroom placement. The result? A space that feels intuitive, organized, and easy to live in every day.
Built for Your Future
Custom or pre-approved ADU floor plans?
Designed around you
Pre-approved plans are built for general use—but your life isn’t one-size-fits-all. With a custom ADU floor plan, every square foot is intentionally designed around your lifestyle, your property, and your goals.Optimized for your property
Every lot is unique. Custom floor plans allow us to work with your site’s dimensions, orientation, setbacks, and utility access to create a design that maximizes space, light, and function.Flexible & compliant
Building codes and family needs evolve—and custom ADU plans evolve with them. Our team ensures your design isn’t just beautiful and functional today, but also adaptable for the future.
Plan Smart. Build Right.
What to know about ADU regulations in San Diego County
Building a 1200 sq ft, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom ADU in San Diego County is not only possible—it’s one of the most powerful ways to increase property value and expand living space.
Maximum size: 1,200 Sq Ft
San Diego County permits detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq. ft.
Zoning eligibility
Single-family, multifamily, mixed-use lots (multifamily rules apply).
No owner-occupancy
ADUs no owner-occupancy required, JADUs still required.
Height limit: 24 feet
ADUs in single-family areas can be built up to 24 feet tall.
Streamlined setbacks
4-ft side/rear (conversions exempt); front per zoning (≤800 sq ft may encroach).
Streamlined permitting
Must review ADU applications within 60 days.Endless Options.
Benefits of building a 1200 sq ft, 3 bed, 2 bath ADU
Multigenerational living
Comfortably house aging parents, adult children, or extended family with private bedrooms and dual bathrooms—everyone stays close while maintaining independence.
Long-term rental income
Generate steady, high-value rental income—often exceeding $3,700/month in San Diego—by offering a full-sized, family-friendly unit with strong market demand.
Work-from-home flexibility
Use one of the three bedrooms as a private office, studio, or creative workspace. It’s the perfect layout for professionals who want separation from the main home.
Guest house or vacation rental
Turn your Mahogany ADU into a luxury guest suite or short-term rental. With room to host friends, family, or travelers, it’s a hospitality-ready space year-round.
Your path to a 1200 sq ft, 3 bedroom ADU
We make bringing your dream 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom ADU to life simple and seamless. From the initial vision to move-in day, our team expertly manages every step of the journey—ensuring your 1200 sq ft Mahogany ADU is beautifully designed, fully compliant, and built to last.
1
Discovery chat
We start with a personalized conversation to learn about your goals, budget, property, and how you plan to use your 3-bedroom ADU—whether it’s for family, rental income, or future flexibility.
2
Design & planning
Our design team works closely with you to create a tailored layout that features an open-concept living space, private primary suite with en-suite bath, two secondary bedrooms, and thoughtful details that reflect your lifestyle.
3
Plans & permitting
We handle every aspect of the permitting process, including site plans, Title 24 compliance, and coordination with local agencies—so you can focus on the exciting part: watching your ADU come to life.
4
Build & completion
Our skilled construction team brings your Mahogany ADU to life with precision and care. From utility installation to final finishes, we manage it all—delivering a turnkey ADU that’s ready for living, renting, or hosting.
VIEW IN 3D
You can explore the floor plan in VR!
Experience your ADU design in VR at our office. See and explore your plan in a virtual space with us, not just online.
FAQs about building a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ADU
If you're considering building a 1200 sq ft ADU like our Mahogany floor plan, you're not alone—and you're asking all the right questions. From cost and regulations to use cases and customization, we’ve got you covered.
The average cost to build a detached 1200 sq ft, 3 bedroom, 2 bath ADU in San Diego is typically around $450,000 all-in, though this can vary based on site conditions, detailed plans, and your choice of finishes—such as average hardwood flooring costs. At Better Place Design & Build, we help manage your budget from blueprint to budget, clearly outlining any potential additional cost upfront. The Mahogany plan specifically offers affordable construction costs per square foot, providing excellent long-term value and often delivering up to 10% ROI annually through rental income.
Not exactly. Tiny homes typically range from 100 to 500 sq ft, making a 1200 sq ft ADU more like a spacious cottage or small home. Thoughtful designs, such as our 1,000-1,200 sq ft large 3-bedroom layouts, offer comfortable space, adequate living space, bedroom separation, and additional storage—ideal for families, rentals, or multigenerational living.
The optimal ADU size depends on your property and needs. A thoughtfully designed 1,000-1,200 sq ft large 3-bedroom plan like the Mahogany layout is a cost-effective choice. It maximizes zoning regulations, providing comfortable, additional space with smart storage solutions, privacy, flexibility, and potential for additional income.
San Diego County has no explicit bedroom limit for a 1,200 sq ft ADU project. Thoughtful designs like our pre-designed layouts comfortably accommodate three bedrooms, ensuring bedroom separation, adequate living space, and compliance with code requirements.
Yes! In most areas, 1200 sq ft is the maximum size allowed for detached ADUs, aligning perfectly with zoning regulations, building height limits, and setback requirements. Utilizing pre-made plans ensures regulatory compliance and streamlines your ADU project.
No owner-occupancy is required for detached and attached ADUs until January 1, 2025. After that date, the policy may change (JADUs always require owner occupancy). This flexibility allows your ADU to serve as an attractive option for generating additional income through rentals.
The overall building process for this ADU type typically takes about 9–12 months, covering everything from blueprint design and securing building permits to the final construction phases. The exact timeline can vary based on approval times, local building laws, and your choice of finishes. Better Place Design & Build offers streamlined build-ready and semi-custom options to optimize your average construction time, ensuring your 1200 sq ft ADU is completed efficiently and beautifully.
A 3 bedroom ADU offers additional living space that's ideal for a variety of needs, from multigenerational living and creating a rental unit, to hosting guests or establishing a private home office. The Mahogany’s customizable floor plans provide a perfect balance between spaciousness and a cozier living space, complete with a modern concept kitchen, dedicated dining, and conveniently separated bedrooms, including a master suite. With carefully considered space for laundry, thoughtful creative yard solutions, and attractive aesthetic design, this versatile ADU size ensures comfortable long-term living while meeting all local compliance regulations.
Absolutely. A well-designed, 3 bedroom ADU can increase property value by 20–30%, while also generating significant passive income. It’s one of the best investments a San Diego homeowner can make.
Yes! The Mahogany provides an ideal balanced layout as a starting point, and we offer additional design services to enhance your space with personalized custom features. Depending on your desired design complexity, you might add a bedroom with deck, incorporate a private kitchen, or expand outdoor space with creative yard space solutions. Whether you're envisioning a cozy bedroom for guests, rooms flooded with natural light, or dramatic vaulted ceilings, we tailor every detail to match your lot, lifestyle, and preferences.
Yes. All of our accessory dwelling units are designed to meet Title 24 energy compliance and local building codes. Our team handles all of the documentation and inspections to ensure your project is fully permitted and approved.
In many parts of San Diego County, parking requirements have been relaxed—especially if your property is near public transit. During the feasibility phase, we’ll review what applies specifically to your lot.
It all begins with a free consultation. If your property is a good fit, we'll conduct a detailed feasibility study to evaluate your property, zoning, and goals to determine the best layout and approach. From there, we guide you through design, permitting, and construction—all under one roof.
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