Serving the Valley
ADU Construction in Scottsdale, Arizona, Done Right the First Time
We handle permits, design, and build under Scottsdale's ADU rules so you get a legal unit without the runaround.
adu project · ScottsdaleScottsdale's ADU Rules Are More Complicated Than Most Contractors Admit
State law opened the door to ADUs in Scottsdale, but the city added local requirements on top, and the distinction between a guest house and a true ADU carries real legal and financial consequences. Most homeowners find this out after they have already started planning.
What you are living with
A guest house in Scottsdale cannot be rented separately from the main home at all. An ADU can be rented long-term but not short-term as a separate unit. Build the wrong structure under the wrong classification and you either cannot rent it legally or you face permit correction orders. Add HOA restrictions on top of city rules and the path to a finished, legal ADU gets narrow fast. Meanwhile, Phoenix summer heat means any detached structure needs to be designed and insulated for 110-plus degree days or your tenant or family member is living in an oven by June.
What you get instead
We pull the actual zoning and HOA documents for your specific parcel before we draw a single plan. We tell you upfront what classification your project will be permitted under, what the size ceiling is for your lot, and what the realistic permit timeline looks like at the city. We also design for the desert climate from the start, not as an afterthought, so the unit is livable year-round without a runaway electric bill.
Our Recent Work
Accessory Dwelling Units Built to Code, Built to Last
An ADU adds a fully independent living space to your property. We handle design, permits, and construction as a single team, so nothing falls through the cracks between a designer and a separate builder.
Site and Zoning Review
Before any design work starts, we review your lot size, setbacks, utility access, and local zoning rules to confirm what you can actually build. No surprises at permit submission.
Custom Architectural Plans
We produce permit-ready drawings tailored to your lot and goals, whether that is a detached garage conversion, a new stand-alone structure, or an attached addition with a private entrance.
Full Permit Management
We submit to the building department, respond to plan-check comments, and schedule all required inspections. You do not have to chase city offices or decode permit portals.
Complete Structural Build
Foundation, framing, roofing, windows, and exterior finish are all completed by our licensed crews. Work is inspected at each required stage so the structure meets code from the ground up.
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing
We rough in and finish all MEP systems, including a dedicated electrical panel, water supply, sewer tie-in, and HVAC sized for the unit. All work is permitted and inspected separately from the main house.
Interior Finish and Final Walkthrough
Insulation, drywall, flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, and appliances are installed and finished to match the scope we agreed on. We walk the completed unit with you before closing out the permit.
Why Homeowners Choose Bayside for Their ADU
A lot of contractors say they build ADUs. Fewer have handled the full cycle from zoning review through final inspection as a single accountable team. Here is what actually sets us apart.
One License, One Contract, One Point of Contact
As a licensed design-build contractor, AZ ROC 353387, we own every phase. You are not coordinating between an architect, a general contractor, and a separate permit expediter. One contract covers design through construction, and one person answers your calls.
We Tell You What Will Not Work Before We Start
Setback conflicts, utility capacity limits, HOA restrictions, and deed conditions can kill an ADU project mid-build. We do a thorough feasibility check upfront so you know exactly what is buildable on your lot before any money changes hands.
Family-Owned, Not a Volume Production Shop
We are a family-owned contractor, not a franchise turning over projects as fast as possible. The same people who sell the job manage the build. If something comes up in the field, a decision-maker is reachable the same day.
Permit History With Local Building Departments
We have submitted and closed ADU permits with multiple jurisdictions across the Valley. We know common plan-check sticking points before they delay your project, and we write our drawings to address them from the start.
What our clients say
Today we finished my kitchen and bath remodel. I worked with Paul who was nothing short of excellent. Not only did he design the kitchen and bath but he cared enough to order and oversee everything down to the tiniest detail. He suggested patterns…
We had an amazing experience with a whole house remodel with Bayside. Yarden was there for us throughout the entire process through design, picking materials and the construction. I have to admit I was a little nervous because of friends that have…
How an ADU Project Works With Us
Four straightforward phases from first conversation to move-in ready. We set expectations at each stage so you know what is happening and what comes next.
Feasibility and Scope Meeting
We meet at your property, walk the lot, review setbacks and utility locations, and discuss what you want the unit to accomplish, rental income, family housing, or a home office. We leave with enough information to tell you what is buildable and give you a realistic budget range.
Design and Permit Submission
Our team produces the architectural and engineering drawings, coordinates with structural and MEP engineers as required, and submits a complete permit package to the building department. We track the application, respond to plan-check comments, and notify you when permits are approved.
Construction
Work begins with site prep and foundation and proceeds through framing, roofing, exterior finish, and all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-ins. Our project manager schedules required inspections at each phase and keeps you updated on progress and timeline weekly.
Final Inspections and Handoff
Once interior finishes are complete, we schedule the final building inspection and any utility sign-offs. After the permit is closed, we do a full walkthrough with you, deliver all warranty documents, and make sure any punch-list items are resolved before we consider the job done.
ADU Construction in Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale allows detached ADUs up to 1,000 square feet or 75% of the primary home's gross floor area, whichever is less. The rules shifted significantly after Arizona's state ADU law took effect, and Scottsdale added its own local layer on top. We navigate both so your project gets permitted and built without surprises.
Permits & review
Scottsdale operates under state ADU law alongside its own Ordinance 4687. The city can enforce size limits and development standards but cannot outright ban ADUs on single-family lots. Plan review timelines at the city vary by project complexity. A detached ADU requires building permits, and if you add a kitchen, you are building a full dwelling unit under code, which triggers different inspections than a guest house. Note: Scottsdale prohibits short-term rentals of ADUs separately from the main home, so if rental income is part of your plan, understand that restriction before you build.
Housing stock
Scottsdale lots range from tight infill parcels in older central neighborhoods to larger lots in north Scottsdale. Older ranch-style homes often have side yards or rear yards with room for a detached structure, but setbacks, lot coverage limits, and HOA rules all factor in before a single shovel goes in the ground. Many Scottsdale subdivisions have active HOAs that layer additional restrictions on top of city code. We check both before quoting you a project.
Areas we serve
We serve Scottsdale and the surrounding Valley, including neighboring cities where permit and zoning rules differ from Scottsdale's. If your property sits near a city boundary, the governing jurisdiction matters more than the mailing address, and we verify that at the start of every project.
Common questions
Are ADUs legal in Scottsdale?
Yes. Scottsdale complies with Arizona state law allowing ADUs on single-family lots. You can build an attached ADU, a detached ADU, or a restricted-affordable detached ADU. The city enforces size limits and setbacks, but the short answer is: if you own a single-family home in Scottsdale, you can almost certainly add an ADU. We pull the permit records and verify your lot's specific restrictions before we quote you anything.
How big can an ADU be in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale caps a detached ADU at the lesser of 1,000 square feet or 75 percent of the gross floor area of your primary home. So if your house is 1,000 square feet, your ADU tops out around 750 square feet. If your house is 2,000 square feet or larger, you can reach the 1,000-square-foot ceiling. Setbacks, lot coverage, and height limits also apply and vary by zoning district. We measure your lot and confirm every number before design starts.
How much does an ADU cost in Arizona?
In the Phoenix Valley, a detached ADU typically runs somewhere between $150,000 and $350,000 depending on size, finishes, site conditions, and whether utilities need to be extended. Scottsdale lots with pool equipment, mature landscaping, or limited access can push costs toward the higher end. A 400-square-foot studio is a very different project than a 1,000-square-foot two-bedroom unit. We give you an itemized estimate after a site visit, not a number pulled from thin air.
Is it cheaper to add on to my house or build a detached ADU?
Usually a home addition costs less per square foot than a fully detached ADU because a detached unit needs its own foundation, roof, electrical service, plumbing rough-in, and often a separate meter. An addition ties into existing systems. That said, an ADU creates an independent living space that can house family or generate rent, which an addition typically cannot. The right answer depends on what you actually need the space to do. We build both and can walk you through the cost difference on your specific project.
Can I rent out my ADU in Scottsdale as a short-term rental?
This is where Scottsdale gets specific. The city added restrictions targeting short-term rentals like Airbnb for ADUs. You can rent an ADU as a long-term rental, but short-term rental rules under Scottsdale's ordinance can limit or complicate that use. Before you build with rental income as your goal, talk to a real estate attorney about current city rules. We will tell you what we know, but rental strategy is legal advice we leave to the right professionals.
What are the real disadvantages of building an ADU?
Here is what contractors often skip. First, permitting in Scottsdale takes time, commonly several months from application to approval. Second, adding a second unit can affect your property taxes and homeowner's insurance. Third, if your lot is tight, losing yard space is real. Fourth, construction disrupts your property for months. Fifth, financing an ADU is not always straightforward since traditional lenders do not always treat them like a standard addition. None of these are reasons to not build one, but you should go in with clear expectations.
What permits does an ADU require in Scottsdale, and how long does it take?
A detached ADU in Scottsdale requires a building permit, and depending on the scope, you may also need electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits. Plans must meet current IRC code and Scottsdale zoning ordinance requirements. Plan review times vary, but budget four to eight months from design kickoff through permit issuance and final inspection for a typical detached ADU. We manage the permit process directly and keep you updated at every stage.
Keep exploring
Other services in Scottsdale
Bathroom Remodeling→Kitchen Remodeling→Home Renovation→Home Addition→Home Builder→
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