ADU Construction · Pasadena
ADU Construction in Pasadena, CA
Detached backyard cottages and attached ADUs for Pasadena homes, designed to suit the main house, respect protected trees and move smoothly through city review.
- Licensed California general contractor
- Permits with the City of Pasadena
- Written, line-item estimates
- Design, engineering & construction
Pasadena, CA
ADU Construction for Pasadena Homeowners
Homeowners pursue ADU construction in Pasadena for many reasons: rental income, a cottage for a parent, or a quiet studio with its own kitchen and bath. Simply Construction coordinates design, permits and construction under one contract, and we design each accessory dwelling unit to belong on its lot and alongside the main house.
In a city known for its architecture, a backyard unit that looks like an afterthought is a missed opportunity. We aim for cottages and attached units that feel as though they were always part of the property.
Local Knowledge
Building an ADU in Pasadena
Pasadena applies its own ADU standards within the framework of state law. Under state law, the city has 60 days to act on a complete application and cannot block an 800 square foot unit that keeps 4-foot side and rear setbacks. Detached ADUs can reach 16 feet in height, or 18 feet within a half mile of major transit, and Pasadena's several Metro A Line stations put some lots within that range.
Placement is often driven by trees and driveways. Older lots in Bungalow Heaven, Madison Heights and Garfield Heights commonly have a long driveway leading to a detached garage at the rear, with mature trees in the back yard. The city's tree protection ordinance can make a protected oak the deciding factor in where a unit goes.
On landmark district or designated properties, we design the ADU's scale, roof and materials to complement the main house. Cities may still apply standards meant to protect historic resources, so a unit that respects its setting has an easier path.
What's Included
From Site Study to Final: Pasadena ADU Scope
- Lot analysis of setbacks, protected trees, driveway access and distance to Metro stations
- ADU design coordination that complements the main house's architecture
- Application package, city correspondence and plan check revisions handled by our team
- Electrical load calculations and any service upgrade request to Pasadena Water and Power
- Engineered slab or raised foundation, framing, roofing and energy code compliance
- Interior build-out, from kitchen cabinetry and bath tile to flooring, through final inspection
For the full scope, process and options, see our main ADU construction page, or browse everything we build on our Pasadena service area page.
Planning Considerations
Choosing the Right ADU for a Pasadena Lot
Detached cottage or attached unit
A detached cottage behind the house offers the most privacy and fits the bungalow court tradition Pasadena is known for. An attached ADU can share existing walls and utilities and, under state law, may rise higher than a detached one. On a narrow lot with a protected tree in the back yard, attaching the unit is sometimes the only practical choice.
Design that fits the setting
A backyard unit behind a Craftsman bungalow looks right with a similar roof pitch, exposed rafter tails and wood siding, while one behind a Spanish revival home suits plaster walls and tile. We carry those cues into the ADU so it complements the house, which supports long-term value and makes review more straightforward for everyone involved.
Getting utilities to the back of the lot
Sewer, water and electrical lines have to reach the ADU, often along the full length of a long driveway. Routing them around protected tree roots takes careful planning and sometimes directional boring instead of open trenches. We map the routes early, confirm electrical capacity, and show utility work as a clear part of the estimate.
Why Choose Us
Why Pasadena Homeowners Choose Simply Construction
Licensed, Bonded and Easy to Verify
Simply Construction inc. is a licensed California general contractor, CSLB [CSLB LICENSE # PLACEHOLDER]. State law requires a license for any job of $1,000 or more in labor and materials, and anyone can check a contractor's license, bond and workers' compensation status on the CSLB website in about a minute. We encourage every Pasadena homeowner to do exactly that before signing with anyone, including us.
Permits Handled With the City of Pasadena
Most delays on large residential projects start at the permit counter. We prepare the drawing set, coordinate structural and Title 24 energy calculations, answer plan-check comments and schedule inspections with the City of Pasadena, so you are not the one chasing corrections. For ADUs, state law requires the agency to act on a complete application within 60 days, and a complete, well-coordinated submittal is what starts that clock.
Built to Current California Energy Code
New homes and ADUs in California are built to the Title 24 energy code, which has required solar PV on most new single-family homes since 2020, and permit applications filed on or after January 1, 2026 fall under the 2025 Energy Code. We plan insulation, windows, mechanical systems and solar into the design from the start instead of treating compliance as a late fix.
More in Pasadena
Other Services in Pasadena
FAQ
ADU Construction in Pasadena: Common Questions
How quickly can Pasadena approve an ADU?
California gives the city 60 days to act once an ADU application is complete. Incomplete submittals and missing reports can hold up the start of that clock, and tree protection or historic review can add steps on some lots. We assemble arborist and design information before submitting so the review begins on solid footing.
Will historic status stop me from adding an ADU?
Generally, yes. California law permits ADUs on historic properties while leaving cities room for protective standards. In a landmark district, we design the unit to respect the scale, materials and character of the main house, placing it where it has the least visual effect on the street.
How tall can my ADU be?
Under state law, detached ADUs can reach 16 feet, or 18 feet within a half mile of major transit, plus up to 2 more feet to match the main house's roof pitch. Attached ADUs can reach 25 feet or the main house's height limit, whichever is lower. We confirm the limits that apply to your lot.
Start Your Project
Planning an ADU in Pasadena?
Tell us about your property and goals. We will walk the site, flag anything the City of Pasadena will care about, and give you a written, line-item estimate.
Licensed California General Contractor · CSLB [CSLB LICENSE # PLACEHOLDER]