A guide for building backyard homes in

Alameda, California

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Alameda are allowed under state law, and a single-family home may construct at least one ADU. ADUs are allowed on residential properties that have an existing or proposed single-family home or an existing multi-family building.

Yes, a permit is required to construct an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Alameda. The permit process will vary depending on the type of ADU you are constructing and the regulations in place in your specific location. At Type Five, we handle the entire permit process for you.

The length of time it takes to obtain a permit for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Alameda will vary depending on several factors, such as the complexity of the project, the availability of city staff to review and approve the permit application, and whether the ADU meets the requirements of the city's ADU ordinance. In general, it is recommended that you allow at least several weeks to several months for the permit process.

At Type Five, we take care of your entire permit process. Our ADU plans meet the highest construction and building code standards across California, ensuring that our permits are approved in the shortest time possible.

According to the city's ADU ordinance, single-family properties may have one ADU and one Junior ADU (JADU), while multi-family properties may have up to 25% of their existing primary dwelling units as ADUs, with a minimum of one ADU per property. ADUs that do not meet the requirements of the ADU ordinance may be subject to different regulations.

No, there is no minimum lot size requirement for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Alameda. According to the city's ADU ordinance, ADUs are allowed on properties with residential uses, regardless of the size of the property. This means that you can build an ADU on your property, even if it is small or has a small lot size.

With Type Five, you can design an ADU to fit whatever available space you have in your backyard. Our system can flex and adapt to ensure you can build high-quality livable space even if it's in a smaller area. Get started with designing your ADU here.

Yes, there are the minimum and maximum size requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Alameda. According to the city's ADU ordinance, the maximum size of an ADU depends on the type of ADU you are interested in building. For example, the maximum size of a detached ADU on your property will be different than the maximum size of an attached ADU on your property. In general, the maximum size for a detached ADU is 800 square feet, while the maximum size for an attached ADU is 850 square feet for a studio or one-bedroom unit and 1,000 square feet for a unit with more than one bedroom.

Type Five's ADUs can adapt to various sizes to fit your needs. Get started with designing yours here.

In general, you should be able to build a two-story Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Alameda, provided that it meets the city's regulations for ADUs. In Alameda, the maximum height for an attached ADU is 16 feet, and the maximum height for a detached ADU is also 16 feet. However, detached ADUs that are located partially or entirely above a garage may be allowed to extend up to 18 feet in height in certain circumstances.

Type Five offers a two-story model that fits Alameda's requirements.

According to California state law, there is no limit to the number of bedrooms an ADU can have in the city of Alameda. The California HCD ADU handbook states that a limit on the number of bedrooms could be construed as a discriminatory practice towards protected classes, such as familial status, and would be considered a constraint on the development of ADUs.

According to the city's ADU ordinance, attached and detached ADUs must be located at least 4 feet from the side and rear property lines. Conversion ADUs and junior ADUs, which are ADUs that are created by converting existing space within a single-family dwelling or an accessory structure, are not required to meet minimum setback requirements if the existing structure complies with the city's setback requirements.

It is not required for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to have its own electrical panel, water meter, or gas meter in Alameda. However, it may be necessary depending on the size and design of the ADU and the availability of utilities on the property. In general, ADUs are not required to have new or separate utility connections, and the connection fee or capacity charge for utilities should be proportional to the burden of the ADU on the water or sewer system.

According to the city's ADU ordinance, ADUs are only required to provide fire sprinklers if sprinklers are required for the primary unit (the main dwelling on the property). The fire flow and water pressure on the adjoining streets must also meet the minimum requirements set by the fire marshal.

Every Type Five ADU meets the highest fire safety standards for the state of California.

You are required to install solar panels on your ADU in Alameda if your ADU is a newly constructed, non-manufactured, detached ADU. All Type Five units come with solar upgrades.

You should be able to rent an ADU in Alameda for $2,332 which is the average monthly rent for a one bedroom apartment so long as the rental term is longer than 30 days. There is no owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs built before December 31st, 2024.

It is important to note that in Alameda, short-term rentals (defined as rentals lasting less than 30 days) are generally not allowed in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). However, there are some exceptions to this rule, including if the ADU is located on the property of the host's primary residence, the host is present on the property during the rental period, the rental duration is at least two nights, and certain other conditions are met. You should consult with the city of Alameda to determine if your specific situation meets the requirements for short-term rentals in ADUs.

Your local homeowners association (HOA) cannot prohibit the construction of an ADU or JADU in Alameda. Assembly Bill 670 (2019) and AB 3182 (2020) amended Section 4751, 4740, and 4741 of the Civil Code to preclude common interest developments from prohibiting or unreasonably restricting the construction or use, including the renting or leasing of, an ADU on a lot zoned for single-family residential use.

Covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) that either effectively prohibit or unreasonably restrict the construction or use of an ADU or JADU on such lots are void and unenforceable or may be liable for actual damages and payment of a civil penalty.

Your property taxes will slightly increase based on the added value of the ADU. The base value of your property will not be reassessed. As an example, if an ADU will add $100,000 in value to your property, and your property tax rate is 1.1%, then your property tax would increase by $1,100 ($100,000 x 1.1%).

The average cost to build an ADU in Alameda is between $350-$412 per square foot. Keep in mind there are a ton of factors to consider when estimating the cost of a project, many of which are unique to your property and sometimes require special surveys to identify. Examples of these factors include whether or not your property is flat or sloped and whether or not you need to upgrade your utilities.

It’s also important to note that converting an existing structure or converting your garage into an ADU isn’t necessarily cheaper than building a brand-new detached ADU.

You can get an in-depth overview of what goes into the costs of building an ADU in your city by starting to customize your ADU using Type Five's design tool. Get started by going here.