Palo Alto has updated its ADU ordinance to comply with new state laws for 2020. Below are the up-to-date requirements for permitting an ADU in Palo Alto.

We're a team of architects, builders, and technologists committed to solving housing affordability by making it easy to build an ADU.

We empower homeowners and contractors to build more and build better.

Our mission

About Cottage

Room for more

We are owner-builders. We roll up our sleeves together, do whatever is required for our homeowners and partners, and do it right.

Build like you own the place

In an opaque industry, we build trust with radical transparency. We offer this transparency to and ask for it equally from our homeowners, partners, and team.

Transparency

We're taking an entirely new approach to an age-old industry. We aren't afraid to pave the path forward.

Break ground

We started this business because we felt the pain firsthand and knew there had to be a better way. We obsess over the homeowner and partner experience and build products/services that solve their most acute pain points.

Customer obsession

Our core values

Cottage: Build your custom ADU in LA, San Diego, and the Bay Area

Join our team of architects, builders, and technologists in reimagining the residential construction industry.

Cottage Perks

Build more, build better

Grow your business with Cottage's vetted clients and shovel-ready projects.

Build with Us

Tell us about your business, and we'll see if it's a good fit for us and your team.

Apply to join the Cottage Builder Network

We'll match you with high-intent clients in your service area.

Secure a project pipeline you can rely on

Cottage handles design & permitting, you build with exclusive tools to help manage your projects.

Focus on building

How it works

We set client expectations for project budget, timeline, and feasibility prior to introducing them to you.

Vetted Clients

We handle design development and permits while keeping you in the loop, allowing your team to focus on building.

We Design, You Build

We match you with a stream of qualified clients, as you manage in-progress construction.

Grow Your Business

We are proud to work with our network of quality builders to bring Cottage designs to life.

Why join the Cottage Builder Network?

Yes. Cottage specializes in designing custom Accessory Dwelling Units. Our company specializes in all types of custom ADUs: detached, garage conversions, and additions!

Do you only work on ADUs?

No! It is free to be part of the Cottage Builder Network and receive leads from Cottage.

Is there a cost to join?

<ul><li>We spend time learning everything we can about the homeowner’s expectations, project site, and unique conditions.</li><li>We learn the homeowner’s budget is adequate for the project they have in mind.</li><li>If a homeowner meets all of our criteria, we will move them forward to meet a contractor in our network.</li><li>We work with you to understand your company; we know where and how many projects you prefer to take on.</li>

What does Cottage do to qualify a project?

Fill out <a href='https://david045224.typeform.com/to/wRIAq1y9' target='_blank'>this form!</a> If your business works with ours, you’ll be building with Cottage in no time!

How do I get started?

What we look for

Work for yourself - from anywhere - on Cottage’s tech-forward architectural platform.

Design With Us

Tell us about your skills, experience, and goals to see if it's a fit.

Apply to Join

Onboard to our tech-first design platform and start working on projects at all stages.

Design with Cottage

We handle everything... so you can focus on building your client and architectural skill set.

Focus on Architecture

We’ve worked with hundreds of homeowners on their custom ADU projects and have dozens of active construction projects at any given time. Our design process and standards are heavily informed by feedback from designers like you as we learn how to get better from every project we do together!

How many projects has Cottage done?

You’ll be the only designer on your projects - we trust your expertise and want you in the driver’s seat for design decisions! Our in-house architecture team is always available as a resource, and focuses on strategic initiatives for a better design process.

Will I be working on my projects with an in-house architect?

After submitting your application, process consists of two interviews. The first is a phone screen call with the Hiring Manager to discuss your experience and interest in Cottage. The second and final round is mock homeowner design call & portfolio review with two members of the Cottage team.

What does the interview process look like?

Yes. Your Cottage hours count towards NCARB AXP Requirements as A: Practice of Architecture. Our in-house Design Manager will sign off on your hours based on our standard hour distribution.

Does Cottage support AXP?

Yes, at no cost to you. Cottage equips all designers with a Cottage Google account and BIM 360/Revit, along with access to other software within our tech stack. Designers are responsible for providing their own computer.

Does Cottage provide software?

Yes. We want designers to celebrate the work they complete for Cottage homeowners.

Can I use Cottage work in my portfolio?

At this time, we are only able to work with US or Canadian residents with US citizenship or Visa eligibility to work as a freelancer.

Can international candidates apply?

Experienced, talented architectural designers

Looking for a fully-remote, fully-flexible work-for-yourself model

Tech-savvy and unafraid to challenge the industry status quo

Uncompromising in high quality output, and can hit this bar independently

Growth minded, looking to expand their business, skills and expertise

You run the meetings, you make the design decisions! Our process makes it easy for designers to work with homeowners.

Direct Homeowner Engagement

We’ve reimagined the residential design process with technology at the core. Spend more time on design and less time on busywork.

Design... Redesigned

See your projects go from schematic design to move-in ready in less than a year. Our platform is an unmatched opportunity for residential built work in your portfolio.

Designed to Build

The Design Studio is at the heart of every happy homeowner’s story. Great design is what brings Cottage projects to life.

Why join the Cottage Design Studio?

Featured, recently built ADUs including flex space, in-law unit, detached, rental income generating, office and hobby spaces.

Featured Projects

Design your custom ADU floor plan online and see a starting price.

Choosing your floor plan is simply a starting point to help guide our initial conversation. There will be plenty of opportunities to customize your layout, move around windows and doors, select your finishes, or even change your mind entirely.

It all starts with your floor plan

Price

Rooms

Shape

Size

Choose a floor plan or start with a blank slate

Unlike prefab ADUs, we offer custom designs to match your unique space, budget and needs.

Custom Designed Just For You

Homeowners choose Cottage for their ADU. Get a trusted ADU contractor, custom design, zero-hassle process, and the best value ADU in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco Bay Area.

Get started with one of our team’s favorite floor plans. We’ve hand selected these plans for their smart usage of space and value-engineered details. By starting with a Cottage Favorite floor plan, you’ll be able to move more quickly through design and permitting, saving you both time and money.

Choose from dozens of floor plans

Subtitle

Custom ADUs Made Simple

ADUs Made Simple

Make room for more

We set you up with a vetted ADU contractor near you, which means that they're easily within reach and know the finer points of building in your neighborhood.

Discover what type of ADU is best suited for your property, goals, and budget.

Feasibility

Work with a Cottage Designer to develop custom architectural plans and select finishes for your ADU.

Design

We prepare your permit application and work directly with the city to expedite your permits.

Permitting

We pair you with a pre-vetted General Contractor and work together to bring your ADU plans to life.

Construction

We handle your project from design to permitting to construction with a vetted contractor. We involve you in the fun parts of design while saving you the paperwork and heavy lifting.

Hassle-Free Process

Recently we've designed and built

Best Value ADUs, Transparent Pricing

Before partnering with a contractor, our team visits past projects, reviews experience online and checks references.

Vetted by industry experts

All General Contractors hold an active contractor's license in good standing, Contractor's Bond, Commercial General liability insurance of $1 million, Worker's Compensation and Employer's Liability insurance of $1 million.

Licensed, bonded, and insured

Are you a contractor looking to <a href='/contractors' style='color: white'>partner with Cottage</a>?

We'll pair you with a licensed contractor from our trusted network across San Diego, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Each builder is fully qualified, vetted, and ready to build your ADU.

Build with a Local Vetted Pro

Why Homeowners Choose Cottage

Garage Conversion Experts

Best Value ADUs

Unlock discounts you won't get working with architects and contractors independently

Avoid hidden fees and delays from unproven vendors

The right way to do your LA ADU

Work with pros who know how to build in your area.

It's easy to overspend on an unknown world of architects, contractors and consultants.  We eliminate the unknowns with our modern process, to get you the ADU you want without the delays and cost add-ons.

Streamlined ADU process means less risk for you

We'll pair you with a licensed contractor from our trusted Los Angeles network.  Each builder is fully qualified, respected, and ready to build your ADU.

Proven Los Angeles ADU Contractors

Hundreds of happy customers across California

Transparent, up-front pricing and timeline

Why LA Homeowners Choose Cottage

Privacy Policy

Have more questions? We’re here to help!

Yes! New California state regulations mean nearly all residential properties (both single family and multifamily) are eligible for ADUs. Additionally, municipalities must allow all ADUs of up to 800 sq. ft. in size with 4 ft. property line setbacks and up to 16 ft. in height under the new California Statewide Exemption ADU rules. Most municipalities allow larger ADUs with even fewer restrictions, and these vary from city to city. We cover this topic in more detail in our <a href='/resources/2021-05-05-is-my-property-eligible-for-an-adu/'>Resources page about ADU eligibility</a> and in <a href='/regulation/'>our municipal ADU regulations pages</a>.

Is my property eligible for an ADU?

Accessory Dwelling Units can come in many shapes and sizes, from an attached garage conversion or an in-law suite to a backyard guest house or a basement studio apartment. The best ADU design is one that matches the use cases, budget, and needs of both you and your property. Cottage’s architectural design team can help bring the best ADU for you to life. Learn more from our <a href='/resources/2021-05-19-how-do-i-choose-the-right-adu-floor-plan/'>article describing how we think about floor plans</a> and to see a few sample ADU designs.

How do I choose the right ADU design?

Cottage’s in-house design team specializes in only ADUs, creating efficient and elegant small space designs that result in a smoother permitting process. After the initial permit submission to the local municipality, our permit operations team works hand-in-hand with our design team to address plan check comments promptly while keeping you in the loop. Cottage has built local permitting expertise in over 50 municipalities - we’ve likely permitted an ADU in your city already!

How does Cottage permit its ADUs quickly?

Cottage’s ADU builder partners are local construction experts that specialize in ADUs and have decades of experience building in your area. Cottage carefully vets all potential contractors to ensure that they not only do high-quality work, but also deliver projects at great, consistent prices. Learn more from our article describing how we think about <a href='/resources/2021-07-01-how-to-choose-the-right-adu-builder/'>working with General Contractors here</a>.

Who are Cottage’s ADU builders?

We've reimagined the ADU process to save you time and money, without sacrificing customization or quality.

A new way to build a custom ADU

Book a free consultation and estimate with a Cottage ADU Expert to find out what’s possible on your property!

Learn about ADU regulations, zoning, setbacks, parking, rental rules, and other rules and ordinances in your city.

See Related Projects

Want to learn more about ADU regulations in your area?

Build your custom ADU. Take the stress out of planning, designing, permitting, and building an Accessory Dwelling unit in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Municipal ADU regulations

Learn more about ADU resources and information - design, financing and cost, construction and our approach.

Palo Alto, California

Zoning

Number of units

Building size

Building height

Basements

Setbacks

Parking

Owner-occupancy

Rental

Watch-outs

Want to learn more about ADU regulations in your area?