Nestled along the gorgeous Southern California coastline, Malibu offers stunning ocean views, beautiful beaches, and plenty of high-end real estate. However, even in this affluent area, housing costs continue to rise making it difficult for many long-term residents to keep living here. Adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), also known as a granny flat or guest house, to your Malibu property can help offset these costs while providing extra space for family or rental income.

As experienced home builders helping clients throughout Los Angeles County create practical yet aesthetically pleasing living spaces, Surfside Builders Group understands the ins and outs of ADU development in a discerning community like Malibu. We can guide you through every step, whether building a new detached structure or repurposing existing space on your property into a legally conforming ADU.

Benefits of Adding an ADU in Malibu. Adding an ADU on your Malibu property delivers several advantages beyond additional living area. The income potential from renting out the unit can help offset the area’s high cost of living. Having a separate space also accommodates multigenerational families, live-in caregivers, or guests.

Malibu has specific development standards and permitting regulations that we are experts on. We can ensure your ADU complies with legal requirements related to parking, maximum unit size, height restrictions, and more. Designing a ADU that blends seamlessly with your existing home architecture is another specialty.

ADUs also qualify as less environmentally disruptive than building a full-sized home, given their small footprint. Since they utilize existing infrastructure like electrical, plumbing and utilities available onsite, they place less strain on the surrounding habitat. The city supports this increased housing density within current neighborhood footprints as a sustainable growth model.

Detached vs Attached ADUs. The decision between creating a detached or attached ADU depends on your goals, budget and property parameters. While detached ADUs involve building a separate structure, attached ADUs incorporate living space into portions of the existing home or converted outbuildings.

Detached ADUs function more like fully independent homes, with private entrances, kitchens, bathrooms and living space. They can be larger than attached versions, up to 1,200 square feet. We can construct aesthetically pleasing, modern detached ADUs complementing the style of your main residence.

Attached ADUs may repurpose a basement, attic space, garage or other contained existing area into a private apartment with basic living necessities. Although square footage maxes out at 1,000 for attached units, they typically offer a more budget-friendly route to added living space. We excel at innovatively transforming unused indoor and outdoor areas into fabulous living quarters.

ADU Financing Options. Adding residential space in Malibu constitutes a significant investment that we advise clients on making strategic financing decisions for. Beyond using available cash to fund an ADU build, homeowners might opt to tap into their existing home equity via cash-out refinancing or a home equity line of credit. The potential rental income from the ADU can offset heightened mortgage payments.

Those interested in detached ADUs requiring new construction may qualify for a construction loan. This provides financing throughout the building phase, then converts to a traditional mortgage once the dwelling is move-in ready. The city also recently implemented new programs providing financial assistance for converting existing structures into ADUs for affordable long-term leasing. Surfside Builders Group stays up to date on resources like these to help clients offset costs.

The ADU Permitting Process. Malibu has customized ADU-related zoning specifications, codes and permits separate from Los Angeles County. Local permitting involves multiple departments like Building Safety, Environmental Health, Planning and Public Works. We shepherd clients through what can be an arduous permitting process, providing our expertise on current ADU regulations.

Prior to applying for ADU permits, we can complete required feasibility studies determining project scope, structural assessments for conversions or additions, plus septic/sewer evaluations. Our permit expediters then compile the essential documentation like plans, energy calculations, diagrams, geological data and grading specifics to smoothly approval permit applications. We further serve as liaison between clients and the Building Safety Department throughout project construction, ensuring seamless sign-offs and occupancy certification.

Design & Construction Elements. Particularly when developing detached ADUs, the city mandates design aesthetics blending with the existing property layout and home architecture. For ADUs visible from the street or beach, the planning department reviews proposals for suitable size, scale appearance and character. Our design team excels at creating ADUs complementing a property’s look with tasteful finishes and features.

Malibu also stipulates special construction considerations to withstand coastal weather, potential fires or earthquakes. Provisions like enhanced foundations, firewall separations between structures and specialized roofing materials are essential for property safety and compliance. Surfside’s experienced project managers oversee these structural specifics during buildout for protecting all residents.

Whether you have vacant land accommodating a new ADU, existing unused space or a freestanding structure to convert, Surfside Builders Group makes adding an ADU in Malibu highly feasible. We welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss options for this affordable housing solution allowing extended families to stay together affordably and comfortably. Please contact us today to learn more about constructing your own ADU oasis along the exquisite Malibu shoreline!