ADUs & guest houses · San Luis Obispo County
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Builders in San Luis Obispo
Detached guest houses, garage conversions and in-law suites, designed and built by one family team, from permits to the final walkthrough.
- LicensedCA License #986950
- Your teamMichael & Chris Harrod
- WhereSan Luis Obispo County
- Office1345 Riverside Ave, Paso Robles
ADUs
Room for guests, family or a rental
An ADU can be a guest house, a home office, a place for aging parents, or a long-term or vacation rental. Whatever it’s for, it should feel like it belongs on the property.
Come with plans in hand and we’ll build them. Come with a rough idea and we’ll help you plan it, with our sister company Harrod Drafting & Design drawing the ADU plans. Either way we handle permits and construction, and make sure the unit meets local rules on size, setbacks and parking.
Scope
What’s included
- Detached backyard ADUs and guest houses
- Garage conversions
- In-law suites and junior ADUs
- ADU plans and permit sets, with Harrod Drafting & Design
- Permits, utilities and site work
- Kitchens, baths and finishes built to match the main house
- Covered porches and outdoor living
Case studyRecent ADU · Paso Robles
Modern Ranch ADU
Detached 1,200 sq ft guest house, three bedrooms, with 1,200 sq ft of covered porches, an outdoor kitchen and a fireplace. Set in Paso Robles wine country.
View case studyModern Ranch ADU · Paso Robles
Inside the guest house
Photos: Cavan Photo. See the full case study.
Process
How the job runs
The same way we run every Harrod Built project: a licensed family team and one point of contact from start to finish. ADUs follow the same steps as our custom homes, just at a smaller scale.
- 01
One licensed family team
Harrod Built is run by brothers Michael and Chris Harrod (CSLB #986950). Michael is the licensed general contractor and stays involved from the first design conversation to the final walkthrough.
- 02
One point of contact
Chris runs the job day to day: the schedule, the subcontractors and the details. You always know who to call.
- 03
Permits and pre-construction
Our team handles the permit process, site prep and pre-construction logistics, and keeps you informed before ground is broken.
- 04
Updates, finishes, walkthrough
Regular updates through every phase, help with finish selections, and a final walkthrough before handover, backed by our warranty.
Do I need a permit to build an ADU?
Yes. Inside city limits (San Luis Obispo or Morro Bay, for example) permits come from the city planning department. In unincorporated areas the County Planning & Building Department handles approvals. We take care of the permit process for you.
How big can an ADU be in San Luis Obispo County?
Most properties in the county allow detached ADUs up to 1,200 square feet, and junior ADUs (JADUs) are generally limited to 500 square feet. Limits vary between incorporated cities and the unincorporated county, so we check the rules for your parcel before planning.
Does an ADU need a kitchen?
To count as an independent living space under California code, yes: a sink with running water and a drain, a stove or stove hookup, counter space for food prep, and cabinets for storage.
Can I rent my ADU as a vacation rental?
In San Luis Obispo County you can, but you need a valid County Business License and a Land Use Authorization from County Planning and Building, and you collect and pay Transient Occupancy Tax. The ADU also has to meet zoning and building code rules. We can help you plan for that before you build.
Can I build an ADU on a rental property?
Yes, as long as the project follows zoning rules, owner-occupancy requirements, ADU size and design standards, parking rules and the permit process. We’ll check the requirements with you and the county.
Where we build
Areas we serve
Custom homes across San Luis Obispo, Monterey and Santa Barbara counties, run from our office in Paso Robles.
All service areas
San Luis Obispo County
14 communities
Monterey County
8 communities
Start your project
Planning an ADU? Tell us about your property.
A few details help us call you back with useful answers about budget, schedule and permits.
805.712.8993michael@harrodbuilt.com
1345 Riverside Ave, Paso Robles, CA 93446
CA License #986950
