Accessory dwelling unit

A second home,
out back.

Detached, attached, and junior ADUs. We review model size, setbacks, access, and utility connections against the rules for your property before defining the build.

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A free 30-minute consult to scope your estimate.

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  • CSLB #1144953
  • Design + build
  • Licensed & Insured
  • Free project consultation
Concept visualization: Del Mar Detached ADU: Detached ADU in Del Mar, CA (2022) by Apex WorksConcept visualizationDel Mar, CA · 2022
What it includes

Feasibility, plans, permit, and the building.

We start with a feasibility memo (lot, zoning, setbacks, easements, utilities). Then schematic design, construction documents, structural engineering, plan check, and construction. Allow roughly 6–10 months for construction on a typical detached ADU, plus design and permitting before groundbreak.

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Standard ADU plans

Start with the facade.

Compare six starting points with facade concepts and 3D plans. Open any model for its interiors and dimensioned drawings. Site adaptation and permit approval are separate.

Open ADU studio

600 sq ft model

The 600

Compact one-bed with an efficient footprint.

  • 1 bed
  • 1 bath
View The 600
640 sq ft model

The 640

One-bed with a generous living room and walk-in shower.

  • 1 bed
  • 1 bath
View The 640
690 sq ft model

The 690

Roomier one-bed with a flexible great room.

  • 1 bed
  • 1 bath
View The 690
800 sq ft model

The 800

Two-bed, two-bath family layout.

  • 2 beds
  • 2 baths
View The 800
1000 sq ft model

The 1000

Two-bed plan with an open living area and generous covered deck.

  • 2 beds
  • 1 bath
View The 1000
1200 sq ft model

The 1200

Two-bed, two-bath with a large great room.

  • 2 beds
  • 2 baths
View The 1200
Custom ADU

Your lot. Your plan.

If a standard footprint does not fit the site or the way you want to live, we will shape one around both. Then we carry it through engineering, permits, and construction.

Plan a custom ADU

Guidance checked September 5, 2026. See the California HCD ADU Handbook (March 2026) for state requirements and the City of San Diego ADU guidance for local rental and development rules. Your property review determines which rules apply.

How we work

One team, beginning to end.

01
Feasibility

We review lot data, zoning, setbacks, easements, and utility questions. The feasibility memo identifies model fit, unresolved site checks, preliminary budget assumptions, and the next permitting steps. We agree on scope and any fees before site investigations.

02
Design + permit

Schematic through CDs, structural engineering, Title 24 energy, and plan check. The review deadline for a complete qualifying ADU application is separate from the full design and permitting schedule.

03
Build

Foundation, framing, MEP, finish. Typical detached ADU is 6–10 months on site. Two-year warranty plus ten-year follow-up check-in.

Selected work

Recent homes.

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Frequently asked

Common questions.

How big can an ADU be in California?+

Size depends on the property and local ordinance. A compliant local maximum generally must allow at least 850 sf, or 1,000 sf for more than one bedroom; 1,200 sf is the detached-unit default where no compliant local ordinance applies. JADUs are limited to 500 sf. We verify the applicable pathway for your lot.

How long does it take to build an ADU?+

Our planning allowance is roughly 11–17 months from kickoff, including 6–10 months of construction. State law generally requires approval or denial within 60 days after a complete qualifying application is received on a lot with an existing dwelling. Corrections, other approvals, and applicant-requested delays can affect the overall schedule; this is not a guaranteed permit date.

What does an ADU cost in San Diego?+

Every ADU is priced after feasibility. Size, finish level, site conditions, utility runs, and service requirements all shape the scope. We review those with you first, then give a project-specific proposal instead of a one-size-fits-all number.

Do I need a parking space for an ADU?+

Often no. California exempts ADUs from on-site parking if the lot is within half a mile of public transit, in a historic district, or part of an existing structure conversion. We check this in feasibility.

Can I rent the ADU on Airbnb?+

In the City of San Diego, ADUs and JADUs cannot be rented for fewer than 31 consecutive days. Other jurisdictions have their own rental conditions. We check the local rules and any applicable deed restrictions during feasibility.

Where in California do you build ADUs?+

We serve San Diego County, Orange County, and Los Angeles County. Our published completed ADU case study is in Del Mar; other county pages distinguish active work from completed case studies.

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Direct
+1 (858) 667-0800support@meetapx.com
Service area
San Diego County
Orange County
Los Angeles County
Licensed
CSLB #1144953
Architecture, electrical, and plumbing in-house
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