ADU Design & Construction
Backyard homes and accessory dwelling units in Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, from the floor plan and permits to the finished space.
- Family owned
- Central Coast local
- Residential + Commercial
- Best of Santa Maria Valley 2024 & 2025
- CA Lic. #1045554
What our ADU work covers
Floor plan and design
We work with you on a layout that fits your lot, your budget and how the space will be used: a rental, a home for family or an office.
Permits and approvals
We handle the paperwork and the zoning and permit approvals, so the project meets local requirements before we break ground.
Construction
Our crew builds the ADU from the ground up to the final walkthrough, to local building codes.
Energy-efficient features
High-efficiency insulation, solar and other features that keep running costs down.
Finishes
Choose the flooring, fixtures and finishes you want. We help you find options that fit the budget.
How an ADU project usually goes
- Feasibility. Check the lot: setbacks, utilities, access and where the unit can go.
- Design. Floor plan, size and finishes that fit the budget and how the unit will be used.
- Permits. Plans go to the city or county for review. We handle the paperwork and approvals.
- Site work and foundation. Grading, utility runs and the foundation.
- Build. Framing, roofing, plumbing, electrical, insulation and finishes, with inspections along the way.
- Final inspection and walkthrough. The building department signs off and the unit is ready to use.
Would more room in the main house suit you better? See room additions.
What affects the cost of an ADU
- Size, and whether it is detached, attached or a garage conversion.
- Site conditions: slope, soil, and how far water, sewer or septic, and power have to run.
- Design choices and finishes.
- Permit, plan-check and utility connection fees, which vary by city and county.
- Extras such as solar, a kitchen upgrade or outdoor space.
After an on-site visit you get a written estimate, so you can see the scope and cost before you decide.
State rules that help ADU projects
California law sets some ground rules for ADUs that every city and county has to follow:
- Once a complete application is in, the city or county has to approve or deny it within 60 days when there’s already a home on the lot (Gov. Code §66317).
- An ADU of 750 square feet or less of interior living space is exempt from impact fees; larger ADUs are charged in proportion to their size compared with the main home (HCD ADU Handbook).
Local ADU pages: Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County and City of Santa Barbara. Other fees, such as utility connections, still vary by location.
For sizes, setbacks, parking and the Coastal Zone, see our guide: ADUs on the Central Coast.
More guides: converting a garage to an ADU and room addition or ADU: which fits?
Why build your ADU with JD Green
An ADU can bring in rental income, give family a place of their own, and add value to your property.
- One team, start to finish: Design, permits and construction handled by the same local contractor.
- Licensed: California contractor’s license #1045554.
- Family-owned and local: Ninth-generation Santa Maria Valley, working across the Central Coast.
How it works
- Tell us about your project
- Meet with our team
- Plan & build
- Enjoy the finished space
From our customers
JD Construction built our family a small home in our backyard. Jeremy was thoughtful, organized and listened to our needs! The crews were fast and professional. I could not believe how quickly we went from, the dream of building a house, to moving my adult son and his new wife inside! Thank you JD Construction!
“JD Green Construction turned our vision into a reality… We love our new kitchen and we will definitely be calling JD Construction for our next remodel project”
“Makes it look so different and open.”
Common questions
Do I need a permit to build an ADU?
Yes. ADUs need a building permit, and California law sets rules that cities and counties must follow; see the state ADU handbook. We handle the paperwork and the zoning and permit approvals.
How big can an ADU be?
Size limits and setbacks come from state law and local rules and depend on your lot and the type of ADU. The state ADU handbook explains the rules; we look at your lot at the site visit.
What’s the difference between an ADU and a JADU?
An ADU can be detached, attached or inside an existing structure, with its own kitchen and bathroom. A junior ADU (JADU) is a smaller unit created within the existing home, limited by state law to 500 square feet.
Can I rent out my ADU?
Generally, yes. Cities and counties can restrict short-term rentals, so check your local rules if you plan to rent for less than 30 days at a time.
Can I convert my garage into an ADU?
State law allows ADUs within existing structures such as garages. Whether it suits yours depends on the structure, utilities and code requirements, so ask about it at the site visit.
Will an ADU raise my property taxes?
Typically only the new construction is assessed and added to your property’s value; the existing home isn’t reassessed. Your county assessor can confirm for your property.
How do I check that a contractor is licensed?
Look up the license number on the Contractors State License Board website, which shows whether a license is active and what it covers. JD Green Construction’s California license number is 1045554.