Orange County homeowners looking to expand their living space or tap into a rental income source can breathe a little easier. The county's Ready Set Orange program is streamlining the process of building Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), offering a selection of pre-designed floorplan models for these structures. As the Orange County Newsroom reported, the initiative caters to the escalating need for affordable housing, presenting homeowners with a cost-effective construction method.

According to Orange County's Chief Planner, Carter Gresham, there's been a notable surge of interest in ADUs since 2019, when they became permissible within county limits. Despite this, confusion on how to build such units has been a common challenge among residents. "There have been a lot of questions regarding where to start, how the process of building one begins," Gresham told the Orange County Newsroom. Ready Set Orange aims to "kick this process into high gear," offering guidelines for ADUs and small single-family homes suitable for couples starting their journey together.

ADUs are autonomous residential units situated on the same property as a standalone, detached single-family home. They are intended to provide living space for family members or long-term rental options for tenants.

The four ADU designs from Ready Set Orange range from 531 to 708 square feet and cater to varied homeowner needs. The program also includes single-family home blueprints for those seeking more spacious dwellings, from 1,150 to 1,483 square feet. All floorplans and guidance on navigating the permit acquisition process are provided to homeowners free of charge. Interested individuals are invited to visit Ready Set Orange for additional insights on this program.