Learn which Bay Area cities allow 2-story ADUs and loft ADUs. Compare ADU height limits in San Jose, Mountain View, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Cupertino, Los Altos, Redwood City, and more.

As housing costs continue to rise, multigenerational living is becoming increasingly common. Many families are looking for ways to expand their homes while preserving privacy. For Divya, a long-time San Mateo homeowner, building an Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) wasn’t just about adding space—it was about bringing her family closer. Planning for Change: Why an ADU Was the Right Choice Divya’s daughter, Ananya, had moved away for work, but after getting married and having kids

With property prices skyrocketing and the median home size shrinking to just 1,500 square feet—far below the national average of 2,300 square feet—families are struggling to carve out spaces that serve their diverse needs. For entrepreneurs, this challenge is even greater. Creating a productive home office without sacrificing family privacy or personal space is a constant struggle, especially when long work hours blur the lines. In a space-starved region like the Bay Area, fi