ADU House Plans (450–800 Sq. Ft.) – Smart, Compact Living with Big Possibilities

Explore affordable ADU floor plans perfect for backyard units, guest suites, rental cottages, in-law spaces, and flexible small-home living.

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Found 2,769 House Plans!

  • Front elevation of a Craftsman Cottage style detached garage featuring board and batten siding, brick foundation, and gabled roof

    Plan 18-2232 – Baker Ridge | Craftsman Garage – 0-Bed, 0-Bath, 720 SF – House plan details

  • Front elevation of a coastal traditional carriage house with horizontal siding, upper balcony, and decorative pergola over a two-car garage

    Plan 20-1125 – Wright Lodge | Coastal Traditional Garage – 1-Bed, 1-Bath – House plan details

  • Front view of a Traditional Ranch style home featuring stone and horizontal siding, gabled rooflines, and teal shutters for charming curb appeal

    Plan 11-2060 – Willow Bluff Cabin | Traditional Ranch – 3-Bed, 2.5-Bath, 3,258 SF – House plan details

  • French Country style carriage house garage with smooth stucco exterior, arched openings, and wood carriage doors

    Plan 12-2396 – Hickory Cove Cottage | French Country Garage – 0-Bed, 0-Bath, 0 SF – House plan details

  • Front exterior of a Coastal Carriage House style two-car garage with Cape Cod detailing, lap siding, and asphalt shingle roof

    Plan 12-2880 – Hazel Springs Estate | Coastal Carriage House – 0-Bed, 0-Bath, 0 SF – House plan details

  • Front elevation of Cape Cod style carriage house garage with horizontal lap siding, dormer window, and double carriage-style garage doors

    Plan 11-1590 – Ash Hollow Residence | Cape Cod Guesthouse – 1-Bed, 1.5-Bath, 1,563 SF – House plan details

  • Front elevation of a Carriage House and Modern Farmhouse style garage apartment with lap siding, stone base, and classic dormer windows

    Plan 17-2120 – The Ramirez Cottage | Carriage House – 2-Bed, 1-Bath, 899 SF – House plan details

  • Front elevation of a Traditional Colonial Cape Cod style garage apartment with lap siding, dormer windows, and dual garage doors

    Plan 8-0604-07 – Baker Crossing | Traditional Colonial Garage – 4-Bed, 2.5-Bath, 3,431 SF – House plan details

  • Front elevation of a Traditional Cape Cod style 3-car garage featuring horizontal siding, brick accents, dormer window, and steep gabled roof

    Plan 8-1368 – The Peterson House | Traditional Garage – 0-Bed, 0-Bath, 0 SF – House plan details

  • Front elevation of Traditional Colonial style brick carriage house garage with arched wood carriage doors and hipped roof

    Plan 11-1217 – Maryland River | Traditional Colonial Garage – 0-Bed, 0-Bath, 0 SF – House plan details

  • Front exterior view of a Colonial Cape Cod style carriage house garage apartment with clapboard siding, dormer windows, and two-car garage

    Plan 16-1238 – Georgia River | Colonial Garage – 0-Bed, 1-Bath, 500 SF – House plan details

  • Front elevation of a Craftsman Cottage style home featuring horizontal lap siding, brick base detailing, metal awnings, and carriage-style garage doors

    Plan 20-2178 – Delaware Ridge | Craftsman Garage – 1-Bed, 1-Bath, 900 SF – House plan details

  • Front elevation of a traditional Colonial-style two-car detached garage with horizontal siding and symmetrical design

    Plan 13-1723 – Virginia Plateau | Traditional Garage – 0-Bed, 0-Bath, 672 SF – House plan details

  • Front elevation of a Traditional New American style garage apartment with brick exterior, symmetrical gable roof, and two-car garage doors

    Plan 8-1893 – New Mexico Basin | Traditional Garage – 2-Bed, 1-Bath, 500 SF – House plan details

  • Front view of a Traditional Suburban carriage house garage apartment featuring white lap siding, stone base accents, black shutters, and a gabled roof

    Plan 8-1968 – White Cottage | Carriage House – 1-Bed, 1-Bath, 270 SF – House plan details

  • Front elevation of traditional two-car garage with horizontal lap siding, brick wainscot base, and gable roof

    Plan 16-1787 – Meadowbrook Cottage | Traditional Garage – 0-Bed, 0-Bath, 720 SF – House plan details

  • Front elevation of a small Traditional Cottage style home with horizontal siding, stone veneer foundation, and centered entry door

    Plan 14-1752 – Hanover Station | Cottage Garage – 1-Bed, 1-Bath, 600 SF – House plan details

  • Front view of traditional carriage house style 1-car garage with horizontal lap siding, gable roof, and paneled wood garage door

    Plan 8-1980 – Axis Manor | CARPORT Garage-Traditional Carriage House – 0-Bed, 0-Bath, 0 SF – House plan details

  • Front elevation of a traditional Carriage House style garage with brick exterior, board and batten gable detailing, and three-car doors

    Plan 11-1423 – Lineage Retreat | Carriage House – 0-Bed, 0-Bath, 1,207 SF – House plan details

  • Front elevation of a Shingle Style coastal garage apartment with cedar shingle siding, Cape Cod proportions, and carriage-style garage doors

    Plan 17-1717 – Mourn Manor | Shingle Style Garage – House plan details

  • Front exterior view of a Traditional Colonial style brick home with Classical Southern design, arched openings, and symmetrical proportions

    Plan 13-1848 – Site Retreat | Traditional Colonial Cabana – 1-Bed, 1-Bath, 650 SF – House plan details

  • Front elevation of a Colonial Revival style garage apartment with brick exterior, board and batten gable, Juliet balcony, and traditional carriage garage door

    Plan 8-1160 – Aster Ridge House | Colonial Revival Garage – 3-Bed, 3.25-Bath, 5,705 SF – House plan details

  • Front elevation of a Cape Cod style cottage with horizontal lap siding, steep gable roof, twin dormers, and symmetrical window layout

    Plan 17-1263 – Aster Ridge Lodge | Cape Cod Garage – 1-Bed, 1-Bath, 247 SF – House plan details

  • Front elevation of a Traditional Colonial style brick home with balanced windows, gabled rooflines, and covered entry porch

    Plan 9-1829 – Aster Meadow House | Traditional Colonial – 5-Bed, 5-Bath, 4,044 SF – House plan details

  • Front view of a modern farmhouse style two-story home featuring horizontal siding, black-framed windows, and a covered front porch with stone foundation accent.

    Plan 20-1671 – Aster Hollow Retreat | Modern Farmhouse – 5-Bed, 2-Bath, 7,790 SF – House plan details

ADU House Plans

ADU House Plans – Smart, Stylish, and Perfect for Compact Living

If you’re looking for a smart way to expand your living space, generate rental income, or create a private guest suite, our collection of ADU house plans is the perfect place to start. Also known as Accessory Dwelling Units, these compact designs are ideal for backyard cottages, in-law suites, guest houses, home offices, tiny rentals, or flexible small-home living.

Modern ADU house plan with compact backyard living design

What Is an ADU?

ADU stands for Accessory Dwelling Unit. It is a smaller, self-contained residential structure located on the same property as a primary home. ADUs are commonly used as backyard rental units, private guest cottages, in-law suites, compact home offices with living space, or short-term vacation rentals where local rules allow.

Designed for Smart, Compact Living

ADU house plans make it possible to add valuable living space without building a full-size home. These efficient layouts are designed to make every square foot count while still offering privacy, comfort, storage, and everyday functionality.

1

Backyard Rental Potential

Create an income-producing rental unit, long-term tenant space, or short-term stay option where local zoning allows ADU use.

2

Guest or In-Law Suite

Give family members, aging parents, adult children, or guests a private living space close to the main home but still independent.

3

Efficient Small Footprints

Compact layouts combine living, dining, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and storage needs into a smaller, smarter residential design.

4

Flexible Property Value

An ADU can add usable square footage, improve property flexibility, and create more options for changing family or investment needs.

Premium Plan Features Included With Every ADU Design

Every ADU house plan includes editable CAD files and printable PDFs, giving you more control when working with builders, designers, engineers, or local permitting offices. These compact plan packages are built for flexibility from the start.

CAD & PDF Files

Your ADU plan package includes editable CAD files and printable PDFs, making it easier to customize the design for your site and local requirements.

Unlimited Build License

Use your ADU plan more than once without paying for a new license every time, especially useful for builders, investors, and repeat projects.

Engineering Included

Structural engineering is included to help support a smoother path toward construction and give your builder a stronger plan package to work from.

These extras can save you thousands compared to competitors who charge separately for CAD files, additional builds, foundation changes, or engineering.

Learn more about our included CAD files, unlimited-build license, free foundation modifications, and structural engineering.

Who Are ADU House Plans Perfect For?

ADU house plans are popular with homeowners, families, investors, and builders who want a compact design that can serve many different purposes. From rental income to multigenerational living, ADUs offer big possibilities in a smaller footprint.

  • Homeowners with extra backyard space who want a guest cottage, rental unit, studio, office, or private retreat.
  • Families needing flexible housing for aging parents, adult children, guests, caregivers, or multigenerational living.
  • Investors and developers looking for compact, repeatable residential designs with broad rental and resale appeal.
  • Urban property owners who want to make better use of limited land with a smaller detached or secondary dwelling.

ADU rules vary by city, county, and state, so always confirm local zoning, setbacks, parking requirements, utility rules, and permitting needs before building.

Common Features in Our ADU Designs

ADU house plans may be small in square footage, but the best designs are big on livability. Smart room flow, built-in storage, efficient kitchens, private sleeping areas, and separate entrances help these compact homes feel complete.

A

Open Living Areas

Combined living, dining, and kitchen areas help small ADUs feel larger, brighter, and easier to furnish.

B

Efficient Kitchens

Compact kitchens can include full appliance layouts, smart storage, and practical prep space without wasting square footage.

C

Private Bedrooms

Many ADU plans include one bedroom, two bedrooms, studio layouts, or flexible sleeping areas depending on the design.

D

Separate Entrances

A private entry helps ADUs work better for guests, tenants, in-laws, home offices, or independent living.

Explore Related Small Living Designs

If you like ADU house plans, you may also want to compare one-bedroom homes, small house plans, modern designs, ranch layouts, and detached garage plans with living space.

1 Bedroom House Plans

Efficient layouts for compact living, guest spaces, rentals, or private backyard homes.

Small Home Plans

Smart, affordable designs that make efficient use of every square foot.

Modern House Plans

Clean lines, simple forms, open interiors, and contemporary curb appeal.

Detached Garage Living

Garage apartments, guest suites, and flexible living space separated from the main house.

All-Inclusive Benefits That Set Us Apart

An ADU plan package should be complete, flexible, and easy to adapt. Our included benefits help homeowners, builders, and investors get more value from every purchase.

Feature Included With Our ADU House Plans?
CAD and PDF files Yes — included
Structural engineering Yes — included
Unlimited build license Yes — included
Free foundation changes Yes — included
Preview all sheets before purchase Yes — included

Our pricing is lower than all major competitors, and our plan sets are more complete. You can preview all plan sheets here, so there is no guesswork about what is included.

Ready to Build Smarter With an ADU?

Our ADU house plans offer unbeatable flexibility and affordability. Whether you are adding an income-producing rental, designing a backyard guest home, creating an in-law suite, or planning a compact private retreat, you get engineered drawings, editable CAD files, printable PDFs, and the freedom to build on your terms.

Frequently Asked Questions About ADU House Plans

What does ADU stand for?

ADU stands for Accessory Dwelling Unit. It is a smaller, self-contained home that shares a property with a main residence.

Can I build multiple ADUs from one plan?

Yes. Our ADU house plans include an unlimited-build license, which gives builders, investors, and property owners more flexibility for repeat projects.

Are ADU house plans legal in my area?

ADU legality depends on local zoning rules, setbacks, parking requirements, utility access, and permitting standards. The plans can be modified to help meet many local requirements, but you should confirm rules with your local building department before construction.

Do your ADU plans include engineering?

Yes. Every ADU house plan includes structural engineering along with CAD files, printable PDFs, and an unlimited-build license.

Can I customize the foundation or layout of my ADU plan?

Yes. Foundation changes are included, and affordable layout modifications are available for room adjustments, exterior changes, roof updates, or site-specific needs.

ADU Design Tip

Before choosing an ADU plan, check your local rules for maximum square footage, height limits, setbacks, parking, utilities, fire separation, entrance placement, and whether detached or attached ADUs are allowed on your property.