Custom Accessory Dwelling Units in Sacramento and Central Valley

Find out how easy it is to affordably add additional living space to your property with an accessory dwelling unit. See what makes us the leading installer of ADUs in northern California. Since 2009, we’ve helped homeowners throughout the Sacramento region upgrade their property’s comfort level, usable space, and resale value with premium quality backyard structures.

What is an ADU?

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are one of the fastest growing forms of housing in California. They are most commonly built on single family residential lots, where many want to live, but where smaller more affordable housing is hard to find. At Backyard Unlimited, we specialize in designing and building detached ADUs. These accessory structures are legally rentable, have their own address, and can have separate utility metering if desired. ADUs are usually limited to 1200 square feet, but on average are around 750 square feet.

Benefits of Building an ADU

An accessory dwelling unit increases your property’s value since it’s an entirely separate living space. This new livable space officially adds, square footage, bedrooms and bathrooms to the county record of your home’s parcel and is an area that can be covered by homeowner’s insurance. You can also legally rent out your ADU as a way to earn additional income.

You can fully customize your ADU with the same high-quality materials that you would use in your own home. Unlike finished sheds, ADUs can have multiple rooms including a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom – each outfitted and furnished as well as a room in a full-sized home. Everything is built to code and fully-permitted, using building-grade materials designed to last for over 50 years.

We’ve seen our customers use their ADUs in extremely creative ways including:

  • A small home for an aging relative
  • A place for an adult child to live, work, and have their own space
  • Downsizing to age-in-place while family moves into larger house
  • Rental property or Airbnb for supplemental, passive income
Adu Guide 2024

Have ADU Questions? Get Answers from the Experts

We’ve compiled our years of experience building prefab structures into The Ultimate Guide to ADUs in California. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the ADU process – from planning & permitting to designing & construction.

Custom ADU Builder in Sacramento

Backyard Unlimited has helped our Sacramento neighbors increase their liveable space and property values by adding accessory dwelling units to their properties.

Over the years, we have worked throughout the greater Sacramento region, including Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Davis, Vacaville, and Elk Grove. In addition, our team has installed backyard structures throughout the Central Valley, including Lodi, Stockton, Modesto, Merced, Fresno, Visalia, and Bakersfield.

Regulations for Building an ADU in Sacramento, California

1

How Many ADUs Can I Have on My Property?

The City of Sacramento allows a total of two ADUs on a single lot. That property must have an existing (or proposed) primary residential structure such as a house, duplex or apartment.

 

2

Zoning Requirements in Sacramento

Maximum Size

  • The Maximum size of a detached ADU cannot exceed a total of 1,200 square feet. If you have two detached ADUs on a property, the total square footage between the two cannot exceed 1,200 square feet.

Setback (distance from property line)

  • The City of Sacramento does not have a setback requirement if you convert an existing structure into an ADU.
  • An ADU’s front yard and street-side yard (if on a corner lot) setbacks must comply the the property’s zone. Find zone setback requirements in Sacramento City Code Sections 17.200-17.224.
  • Two-story ADUs must have either a 3-foot side yard and rear yard setback or the property’s zone – whichever is less.
  • One Story ADUs without a side yard or rear yard setback must be at least 60 feet from the front property line or comply with two-story setbacks.
  • Detached ADUs must be a minimum of 4-feet from each other an the primary residence. Two detached ADUs under one roof do not require this separation.

See all requirements for building an ADU in Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City ADU Codes

Featured ADU Project: Sacramento, CA

This recently completed ADU project is a 510 square foot standalone structure in Sacramento, California. This structure is 15′ x 34′ and features 1 bedroom, 1 bath, and full kitchen.

See Project Details

Happy Customer

“Wonderful displays of outdoor and indoor possibilities. My questions were answered quickly, with options only experienced by time spent with many customers.”

Mark Kalinowski (Google Review)

Get a Quote

Get started on building your Tiny Home today with our online builder, and we’ll follow up with you to schedule an initial consultation to discuss your options and pricing.

Customize My Tiny Home