Up to 500 sq ft carved from your existing home — the lowest-cost way to add a rentable or family unit.
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A Junior ADU, or JADU, is a compact living unit — up to 500 square feet — created within the existing walls of your home, often from a converted bedroom or a portion of the house. It has its own entrance and a small "efficiency" kitchen, and it may share a bathroom with the main house or have its own. Because you're working inside space that already exists, a JADU is typically the least expensive way to add a rentable or family unit in Sacramento.
The key differences: a JADU is capped at 500 sq ft, must be carved from the existing home (not a new structure), and it requires owner-occupancy — you have to live in either the JADU or the main house. In exchange, it faces lighter requirements in some areas. Many homeowners actually build a JADU and a separate ADU on the same property, which California law allows in many cases, maximizing the units you can add.
A JADU makes sense when you have spare interior space, want the lowest-cost path to rental income or a family suite, and are comfortable with the owner-occupancy rule. If you want a larger, fully independent unit or don't want to live on-site, a detached ADU or garage conversion is the better route. We'll help you compare.
Tell us about your property — we'll map out your options and a ballpark budget.
A Junior ADU is a unit up to 500 sq ft created within your existing home, with its own entrance and an efficiency kitchen, and either a shared or private bath. It's the smallest and usually cheapest ADU type because it uses space you already have.
Yes. JADUs require owner-occupancy — you must live in either the junior unit or the main house. This is a key difference from a standard ADU, which generally does not require it under current law.
Often, yes. California law allows many single-family properties to add a JADU and a separate ADU, which can maximize the units and rental income on your lot. We confirm what your property qualifies for.
Typically, yes — because it's built inside existing space with a compact kitchen and often a shared bath, it usually costs less than any other ADU type. The exact cost depends on the interior work required.
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