What Is a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit? Find Out Here!

The world is evolving with a new definition of real estate. Traditional houses are a thing of the past now. The advent of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) has allowed homeowners to expand their original living space into something better. ADUs offer a different place to live and a chance to earn passive income.

Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are the current hot topics in the residential markets. Currently, people are not aware of it properly. Do not worry, as in this article; we cover entirely what a junior accessory dwelling unit is and how it differs from an accessory dwelling unit.

What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit?

A prefab ADU is an independent living structure that you can install beside your original house. Note that an ADU is located in the same geographical property as your base home. It is a detached house with amenities such as a separate kitchen, bathroom, or playroom. ADUs are also known as granny houses and secondary units.

ADU design ideas are built separately from the original house. They are detached from the original home having their utilities and amenities.

What is a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit?

A Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) is a small, self-contained living unit built within or attached to a main house. They are also known as "in-laws" or "granny flats." JADUs are typically smaller than the primary residence and are intended to provide additional living space for family members, renters, or guests.

JADUs can be called smaller versions of an ADU. JADUs share utilities such as washrooms and kitchens with the primary house. They are attached to the primary house rather than detached ADUs and have their amenities.

They are becoming an increasingly popular option for homeowners looking to add extra income or accommodate aging family members.

ADU vs. JADU – What is the Difference?

ADUs are larger than JADUs, with many other amenities and facilities. Primarily, an ADU spans over 1,000 square feet, while JADUs can only be up to 500 square feet.

ADUs can be used for short-term rentals, while JADUs cannot. Furthermore, a JADU should be attached to the base property house. It cannot be detached like an ADU. In short, a JADU cannot exist in an independent and separate space. It has to be attached to the base house.

Moreover, municipal laws and regulations vary for each state. Do check them out before making your final decision.

What are the Benefits of Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs)

Just like backyard accessory dwelling units have various benefits, JADUs also have a variety of plus points for which they are in demand among house owners. Some of the main benefits are:

House Affordability

JADUs are economical compared to building a completely independent house if you wish to increase your living space. For people who struggle with finances and cannot afford a new home, JADU provides the perfect solution. Since JADUs share the base house amenities and facilities, their construction cost is low.

Passive Income

Similar to ADUs, Junior ADUs can also be given at rent to earn passive income. JADUs can be rented out to tenants for long-term contracts. Note that you cannot rent out a JADU on rent for a short-term basis of, for example, 30 days.

Multi-Generational Living

JADUs is a great way to promote multi-generational living. Once your kids grow old, they move out to a separate house. Junior ADUs provide the option to kids to move there with minimal cost since the majority of amenities are shared. Also, old parents can stay with their families in Junior ADUs rather than in nursing homes.

Increase in Property Value

ADUs significantly increase property value since an additional living space is available in one property. The same is the case with Junior Accessory Dwelling Units. Since they are connected with the main house, they share all the amenities and offer significant benefits in terms of living. These benefits inflate the overall property value.

Specialized Space

Just like modular sheds can be transformed into anything you want, you can turn around Junior Accessory Dwelling Units into places of value. If you do professional gaming, you can build a dedicated gaming room into a JADU. Furthermore, you can make a kid’s room or a dedicated working space through a JADU.

Junior ADU Requirements

The requirements for building a junior ADU vary depending on the location and the specific zoning laws in that area. Some states have specific and clear laws regarding Junior ADUs, while some have lenient laws.

In general, however, junior ADUs are typically required to meet specific size and setback requirements and comply with building codes and zoning regulations. Permits, inspections, and fees may be required depending on the location.

The square feet size is crucial to bear in mind while building a Junior ADU. You can only build a JADU if it is under 500 square feet. Also, JADUs should be joined with single-family residences.

 You can know the junior ADU requirements by consulting the municipal office in your area.

Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit in California

Homeowners in California are beginning to catch up on the trend of constructing Junior ADUs to enhance their living and earn a passive income. Apart from California, there are many states in the United States of America where JADUs are effectively being constructed.

ADUs or backyard studios are also in much higher demand in various states of America. People often invest in JADU if they are running low on finances. However, you can build both ADUs and JADUs if you want to. It all depends upon your personal preference and the zonal laws.

Final Remarks

There are a variety of ADU and JDU designs available to pick from. Make sure you comply with government regulations and zonal laws before building additional living units and small outdoor shed. Illegal constructions may be demolished or heavily penalized.