Our network of vetted, local architects and contractors travel within the Los Angeles and Orange County areas in addition to surrounding areas.

Areas covered include Santa Clarita, the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, West Side Cities (Malibu, Santa Monica), Central Los Angeles, South Bay (El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills), Long Beach, and all Orange County.

Unsure if your location qualifies? Reach out and ask!

Below are a few key benefits of building ADU’s (accessory dwelling units) in Southern California. There are many!

1. Affordable to Build:

ADU’s are cost-effective compared to new multifamily structures since they don’t require land acquisition, extensive infrastructure like elevators or structured parking, and leverage simpler wood-frame construction.

2. Boost Property Value:

Adding an ADU can substantially increase your home's value—many homes with ADUs can see up to 20% or greater appreciation.

3. Generate Rental Income:

ADU’s provide a reliable revenue stream. You have the option to lease long-term or even tap into short-term/mid-term rental markets (like Airbnb) depending on your city’s rules.

4. Housing for Family or Guests:

Build an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) for multigenerational living—keep elderly relatives or adult children close but maintain independence. It also offers a private, comfortable space for visitors or even a dedicated home office.

5. Flexible Usage Over Time:

ADU’s are inherently adaptable—start with renting it out, then convert it to an art studio, office, or creative space as your needs evolve.

6. Support Affordable Housing Solutions:

Adding ADU’s increases housing supply without new land development—this helps address California’s housing shortage by providing more units in existing neighborhoods.

7. Eco-Friendly & Sustainable:

With their small footprint, ADU’s (accessory dwelling units) preserve land, minimize urban sprawl, and lend themselves to green building practices—think solar panels, efficient appliances, and rainwater harvesting.

8. Access to Financial Assistance:

California offers a variety of incentives and resources to support ADU development:

• CalHFA ADU Grant Program: Up to $40,000 for predevelopment costs

• CalHome, LEAP, LHTF, REAP, SB 2: Grants aiding construction, planning, and affordable ADU’s. Stay tuned for future grants to become available.

• Local programs: Examples include forgivable loans, technical support, and pre-approved plans in places like San Diego, San Jose, and Santa Cruz County.

Unsure if your zoning allows for an Accessory Dwelling Unit to be built? Let us help you! Our network of architects and licensed contractors can help bring your vision to life.

A few resources:

• Zoning Map

• LA City ADU Ordinance

Cost is one of the many factors to consider when planning your ADU (accessory dwelling unit) build. Professionalism, quality of work, and timeline are a few additional factors to consider.

Will you be using the ADU to house a family member to live in? Or is this a real estate investment that you’ll rent out to a tenant? These are a few details we’ll need to know before recommending three contractors to bid on your job.

ADU Matchmaker is a marketplace where education and a passion for real estate investing merge. Let our team help you choose the best contractor for your budget, timeline and scope of work.

Krista rents her ADU’s in LA City as mid-term rentals on Airbnb and VRBO but you could also rent them as long term rentals. The Los Angeles City Planning website also has more information about home sharing and short term rentals.

In Los Angeles, current legislation doesn’t allow renting non-primary residences as short term rentals. However, you can rent them as mid-term rentals (30+ day stays) or long term rentals. For homeowners in Los Angeles, here is a link with more information that can be found on Airbnb’s website.

To be sure what is legal, check with your local city planning office to understand the rules.

Short term rental stays are categorized as bookings that are less then 30-days. Mid-term rentals are reservations that are 30+ days long. Some homeowners choose to rent out their ADU’s as long term rentals, meaning they rent to one tenant for 1+ years at a time.