Building a 3-bedroom, 2-bath, 1,192 square foot ADU like the Torrey Pine typically costs between $420,000 and $720,000, including design costs, permits, construction, interior finishes, and site preparation. Actual costs vary based on customizations and site conditions, but partnering with Better Place Design & Build ensures streamlined permitting and cost-effective solutions, optimizing long-term value and rental income potential.

Yes, San Diego County allows detached ADUs up to 1,200 square feet, making the Torrey Pine fully compliant. One on-site parking space is required unless the property is within ½ mile of public transit or involves converting an existing permitted structure. Better Place Design & Build provides detailed plans and guidance to navigate zoning regulations efficiently and confidently.

A three-bedroom ADU is an excellent choice as a rental property, offering substantial monthly income potential. In San Diego, the average ADU size around 1,200 sq ft, combined with a functional floor plan, makes this an especially attractive option for tenants seeking comfortable, full-time living. Depending on the location, interior finishes, and whether you rent short-term or long-term, you can typically expect rental income of $3,700 or more per month.

Absolutely. Adding a full-sized 3-bedroom, 2-bath ADU like this one can significantly enhance your property valuation, typically boosting value by 20–30% or more. This expansive guest house provides considerable additional living area, often comparable to a traditional square foot house, making your property highly attractive to potential buyers or renters. With a thoughtful layout with space designed to appeal to families, renters, or multigenerational living, the ADU adds long-term equity and income potential. Our team ensures compliance with local coverage regulations, maximizing your return on investment without complications.

From creating customized architectural plans to the final walkthrough, building a 1,192-square-foot layout typically takes between 8 to 12 months. The exact timeline varies based on the permitting process, site conditions, complexity of utility connections, and local zoning regulations. Our experienced in-house team ensures your project stays on track by efficiently navigating permits, helping you clearly factor in construction costs, and choosing effective finishes that deliver adequate living comfort—including a fully functional kitchen. We transparently handle all aspects, including plan costs, to streamline the process and deliver your ADU smoothly and on schedule.

Yes, absolutely. At Better Place Design & Build, we specialize in creating full-sized living quarters with fully customized ADU plans like the Torrey Pine. You have complete freedom to personalize your space, from designing a functional kitchen with quality finishes, to incorporating features such as unit laundry and ample living space tailored specifically to your lifestyle. Our experienced team helps you navigate all code requirements and understand key cost factors, ensuring your ADU is exactly what you envision—beautifully designed, fully compliant, and uniquely yours.

Absolutely. This balanced layout is specifically designed with multigenerational families in mind. The additional bedrooms and two full bathrooms provide private, independent living quarters for aging parents, adult children, or extended family members. Meanwhile, the spacious open-concept living area creates comfortable, shared spaces for family gatherings or daily interactions. With thoughtful layout adjustments available, you can easily tailor the design for full-time living, ensuring each family member enjoys comfort, privacy, and the convenience of additional living space within a single property.

At nearly 1,200 sq ft, this ADU floor plan offers an ideal size for comfortable living, especially when compared to smaller units. It provides additional functionality through a highly efficient layout, featuring three spacious bedrooms—perfectly suited for those building ADUs for family use or rental income. The inclusion of two full bathrooms, one of which can be an en-suite bathroom, adds convenience and privacy typically found in larger homes.The true open-concept living area accommodates full-sized kitchens with modern finishes, creating spaces perfect for both everyday living and entertaining. The dedicated unit laundry area ensures maximum convenience, enhancing livability while maintaining code compliance. Overall, this carefully designed layout provides ample room to live, work, host guests, and adapt over time, without ever feeling cramped or limited.

San Diego County currently has no owner-occupancy requirement for detached and attached ADUs until January 1, 2025. After that, owner-occupancy rules may be reinstated, though Junior ADUs (JADUs) always require owner residency. This flexibility allows you to rent both units, accommodate family, or use the property according to your personal and financial goals.

California state law does not explicitly limit the number of bedrooms an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) can have. Instead, ADU bedroom limits are typically dictated by local building codes, zoning ordinances, and overall size restrictions. Most California jurisdictions, including San Diego County, allow detached ADUs up to 1,200 square feet, which typically accommodates two to three bedrooms comfortably—such as the Torrey Pine’s 3-bedroom, 2-bath layout. However, practically speaking, the number of bedrooms in an ADU depends on meeting certain building standards, such as minimum bedroom sizes, emergency egress (windows or doors), and adequate ventilation. It's crucial to ensure that any floor plan, whether custom or pre-approved, aligns with local building codes and zoning guidelines. At Better Place Design & Build, our team manages all permitting and compliance requirements, ensuring your ADU maximizes livable space within California's regulations.

In California, the minimum bedroom size for an ADU is typically governed by local building codes, which generally align with statewide residential standards. A bedroom must be at least 70 square feet, with one side measuring no less than 7 feet, and meet minimum ceiling height requirements, usually 7 feet. Additionally, bedrooms require proper ventilation and emergency exits, such as an adequately sized window or exterior door. However, while these compact guidelines satisfy regulatory standards, they create a more minimalist living experience or a cozier living space. At Better Place Design & Build, we recommend bedrooms sized between 100 to 120 square feet—even in compact layouts—for enhanced comfort, usability, and long-term appeal. Our thoughtfully designed floor plans balance regulatory compliance with livability, ensuring your ADU feels spacious and welcoming, regardless of size.

In San Diego County, a detached ADU can be built up to 1,200 sq ft regardless of the size of the main home. Attached ADUs, however, are limited to 50% of the primary home's square footage. Our design experts evaluate your property and local zoning to maximize ADU size and ensure compliance, creating the optimal layout for your needs.

In California, the smallest ADUs—known as Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs)—can be as compact as approximately 150 square feet. However, the practical minimum size for comfortable living generally begins around 250 to 300 square feet, which allows room for a sleeping area and a private kitchen, a critical factor in livability. For detached or fully independent ADUs, such as a modern studio, a more practical minimum is around 400 to 500 square feet, providing enough space for key amenities, including a full bath, kitchen, and sleeping area. When determining an ideal choice for your ADU, it’s important to consider key factors such as comfort, usability, and future goals like potential rental income or family use. Additionally, even the smallest ADUs have similar permitting costs to larger units, which is why Better Place Design & Build typically recommends ADUs no smaller than 400 sq ft to ensure maximum return on your investment.