The #1 ADU mistake in Encinitas: designing a unit without designing the site

An ADU is not just a floor plan—it’s a site plan.

A great Encinitas ADU considers:

• Privacy (window placement, fencing, landscaping screens)

• Sun and wind (comfort and energy performance)

• Noise (street sounds, neighbor proximity, mechanical units)

• Outdoor space (a small patio can make the unit feel much larger)

• Parking and access (depending on requirements and existing conditions)

• Drainage (especially with winter rains and coastal soils)

Think of the ADU as a mini home with a mini “yard experience.” That’s how you create real value.