Photos and plans for an accessory dwelling “in-law unit” in Santa Cruz

Good housing is hard to come by, and good neighbors are a precious resource. That’s why John and Kathleen built a secondary home in their Santa Cruz backyard for Kathleen's father.

The 934-square-foot home has a two-car garage (shared with the primary home), a loft, a kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom, and plenty of storage space for the family’s outdoor adventure gear.

Families everywhere are discovering the value of multigenerational living. Often, a homeowner with adult children will build an ADU, bringing their children and grandchildren in to live right next door. Or a young professional will build an ADU for their aging parents to live in. Multigenerational living provides an opportunity for families to live and work together, taking care of each other and enjoying each other’s company more often.

Of course, ADUs have many uses. Their versatility is one of their best features. The homeowners of this Santa Cruz accessory dwelling can use it for family, guests, themselves, or tenants (bringing in around $3,000 per month in rental income). The ADU will adapt to fit the homeowners’ needs for life.

Adding an accessory dwelling or guest house in Santa Cruz

The best way to start your project in Santa Cruz, San Jose, or the San Francisco Bay Area is to contact New Avenue for a free call with a design/build professional. We’ll answer all your questions and help you get started transforming your property into a home that will serve your family for generations.

With over 12 years in the industry, New Avenue provides quotes you can count on and the most reliable process available. Our turnkey service includes everything you need to transform your home: team creation, design, engineering, permitting, construction, project administration, and full use of our proprietary app to keep everything organized.

Use our vetted professionals or bring in your own. The New Avenue system ensures that everyone who works on your project is part of a communicative, cohesive team working together to keep your project running smoothly.