Conveniently located between San Diego and El Cajon, the city of Lemon Grove offers a quiet, small-town atmosphere just outside the urban center. Tree-lined streets with diverse architecture span Lemon Grove, from Spanish-style bungalows to mid-century ranches and more contemporary homes.
As housing costs continue to rise across Southern California, many homeowners now consider adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to their property as per ADU laws in Lemon Grove. Also known as granny flats or in-law suites, ADUs create affordable and environmentally friendly housing for homeowners and renters.
Key Takeaways:
- Overview of Lemon Grove ADU Laws
- ADUs Permitted in Lemon Grove
- Size Limits, Height, and Setbacks for Lemon Grove ADUs
- Streamlined Approval Process for Lemon Grove ADUs
- Reduced Fees to Construct Lemon Grove ADUs
- Financing ADUs in Lemon Grove
- Hiring an ADU Contractor in Lemon Grove
This guide breaks down the updated ADU laws in Lemon Grove, building codes, permit regulations, and development standards for 2023. We also offer full-service ADU project management in Lemon Grove, from initial budgeting through design approvals, construction, and final inspection.
Overview of ADU Laws in Lemon Grove
The California Legislature passed multiple bills between 2017 and 2022 to ease ADU development barriers imposed by local governments. ADU laws in Lemon Grove, like AB-68, AB-881, and SB-13, now mandate approval when ADUs meet baseline standards.
The ADU laws in Lemon Grove correspondingly updated its zoning codes regarding accessory dwellings in late 2019 by adopting Ordinance No. 548. The regulations appear in Title 9: Planning and Zoning of the Municipal Code.
We break down key details around ADU laws in Lemon Grove about the current allowance and development standards for residential lots below.
ADUs Permitted in Lemon Grove
Lemon Grove’s ADU ordinance allows homeowners to develop accessory dwellings under the following allowances:
ADU Types Allowed
- Detached new construction
- Within or attached to an existing single-family residence
- Repurposed detached structures (e.g. garage)
- Movable, tiny homes qualify as detached ADUs
Number of ADUs
- One ADU is permitted per single-family residential lot
Junior ADUs
- Junior ADUs less than 500 square feet are allowed per state standards
This flexible framework allows Lemon Grove homeowners to create livable square footage suited to their property constraints. We help clients construct optimal ADUs based on family needs, budget, available space, and a financing plan.
Size Limits, Height, and Setbacks for Lemon Grove ADUs
California AB-68 establishes baseline ADU building standards that local jurisdictions cannot restrict. Lemon Grove aligned its ADU development regulations with the state law. Key requirements include:
Unit Size
- Maximum ADU size: 850 square feet for studios and 1-bedroom units, or 1,000 square feet for 2+ bedroom ADUs
- There is no size limit for ADU converted from existing home or accessory structure space
Height Allowance
- Cannot exceed primary home height up to 16 feet
Setbacks
- 4-foot side and rear setbacks permitted
Contact us to double-check clearance for your specific ADU concept, or review the full municipal code here.
Streamlined Approval Process for Lemon Grove ADUs
Similar to other California cities, ADU laws in Lemon Grove established expedited administrative approval for ADU projects.
- 60-day maximum timeframe for approving complete ADU permit applications
- No public hearing or planning commission review required
- Exempt from certain overlay zoning rules
We provide full-service ADU permitting help in Lemon Grove to simplify approval. Our experts track code revisions and navigate city department reviews for efficient permitting.
Reduced Fees to Construct Lemon Grove ADUs
California’s ADU laws also mandate cities reduce potential cost barriers to encourage ADU growth. Lemon Grove correspondingly instituted the following fee exemptions or limits:
- No permit fees are charged for ADUs less than 750 square feet
- Impact fees limited after 750 square foot size threshold
- No connection fees or capacity charges for units using existing utility laterals
- Reasonable connection fees based on proportionate ADU size or fixtures otherwise
We further leverage relationships with local utilities like SDG&E to minimize your costs when establishing new services or upgrades. Saving thousands in fees maximizes the return on investment from your Lemon Grove ADU project.
Financing ADUs in Lemon Grove
Constructing a detached ADU or performing a garage conversion costs between $125,000 and $300,000+ for higher-end builds. Smart financing is therefore essential for most Lemon Grove homeowners planning an ADU addition.
The good news is that California now offers multiple affordable financing programs to support granny flat and guest house construction, including:
Low-Interest ADU Loans
Qualified Lemon Grove applicants can apply to the California HCD for low-interest loans up to $100,000 or grants to fully or partially fund the construction of an ADU. We help navigate the state program.
Cash-Out Refinance
Many homeowners use cash-out refinancing to access their available home equity for major remodels or construction projects. The cashout amount can cover a portion or entirety of your ADU costs.
401(k) / Home Equity Loan
Some households tap their 401(k) savings or home equity to finance the construction of an ADU on their property. Retirement funds offer low fixed rates, while home equity borrowing also taps available funds at better terms than alternatives.
We maintain relationships with top regional and national lenders to pair Lemon Grove clients with the optimal ADU financing mix. Contact us for a free consultation regarding loan options.
Hiring an ADU Contractor in Lemon Grove
Successfully building an approved, code-compliant ADU at minimum cost involves expertise across planning, permitting, design, utility coordination, and construction. Homeowners risk wasting significant money without proper project oversight.
We strongly encourage hiring an experienced ADU development company to navigate all phases of your Lemon Grove granny flat or guest house addition. Look for the below credentials:
- GBC-1 or B Residential Contractor License
- Extensive knowledge of California ADU laws in Lemon Grove
- Full-service design-build capabilities
- Existing relationships with city officials and tradespeople
As fully licensed Lemon Grove ADU contractors, ADU Alliance holds all requisite qualifications. From the initial budget and rendering through our direct construction team finalizing your project buildout, we simplify adding your dream ADU. Contact us at (657) 800-7443 for a custom quote!
Conclusion
Recent California ADU laws in Lemon Grove offer homeowners more entitlements than ever to develop practical accessory dwellings matching their needs and property constraints. From the number of ADUs allowed and size limits to reduced setbacks and waived utility fees, make sure to leverage available exemptions when planning your ADU project. Or, better yet, just engage our expert Lemon Grove ADU team to begin turning your property’s untapped potential into an income opportunity.