Adding An In-Law Suite Addition To My Home, What Issues Are Involved?
Addition to existing home with extra parking and walkway to a separate entrance.
Kitchen open to great room with master bedroom in the distance.
Before starting the process, read the Covenants and Restrictions for your community, check with your HOA and local zoning department to see what’s possible or have a Custom Builder guide you through the process.
Most homes are located on properties zoned only for a single family residence. A new addition can raise some issues as to whether the residence will now be considered multi family and violate HOA rules and zoning laws.
In Orange County, Florida, the zoning rules are tricky. Breakfast bars, wet bars, craft centers and summer kitchens are allowed but not a 2nd full kitchen. Many times it depends upon what you actually call a cooking facility. It’s best to have professional guidance.
Key Issues:
- A separate kitchen may present issues with local zoning and homeowner associations.
- The septic tank and drain field capacity may have to be expanded.
- Having a separate electric meter on the In-law suite will not be possible on a property zoned for a single family residence.
- The existing roof structure is key here in regards to minimizing addition costs.
- A Builder can tell you the best way to connect the two residences or whether it would be better to have a completely separate structure.
- The cost per square foot of this type of addition is usually more expensive then the value of the existing residence price per SF. It costs more to add on to an existing home.
Read More- Can I Have Two Kitchens In My Home?
Suggested Features:
- A private living area connected to the main house.
- Suite should be comfortable and separate to create a feeling of independence.
- Private full bathroom.
- A door that separates the new living quarters from the rest of the house.
- A separate entrance if approved by zoning.
- 36” wide halls with wheelchair accessible doorways.
- A full Kitchen if possible.
- Accessibility.
- Most in-law suites are around 1,000 SF of living area and cost between $150/SF-$250/SF.
- Now is the time to add additional rooms for family needs.
- Master suite with sitting area.
- Walk-in closet.
- Master bath with curb-less shower.
- ADA height elongated toilets and vanities with extra space around the toilets.
- Incorporate lots of natural lighting in the design with a view if possible.
- Attractive grab bars at toilets, tubs and showers.
- Separate washer and dryer (stackable).
- Separate air-conditioning system, lighting, smoke, fire, carbon monoxide detectors and water heater from main house.
- Great room, with kitchen, bar top, nook and family room.
- Think of this suite as a future flex space by incorporating universal design features.
- Overhead and hand-held shower features.
- Easy open drawer and door hardware.
- Sound proofing to make the separate living quarters private.
- Emergency call button.
- Install a separate phone line, Internet connection, cable jacks and a stereo system.
- Access to common areas like pool, decks and patios.
- Allow for additional parking or garage space.
Future Use:
- Keep flexibility in mind, this may not always be used as an In-law suite. In the future it may become a guest suite, older teen space, home office or master suite.
- When it's time to sell, the more uses the additional space has the higher the resale value.
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Read More- What is Universal Design?
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Have an awesome day!
Mike
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