Backyard Cottages in Orange County
A charming standalone backyard home — the cottage-style take on a detached ADU.
A backyard cottage is a detached ADU with character — a standalone home in your yard with its own entrance, kitchen and bath, designed to feel warm and complement your property. Here’s what one is, how we design it, and what it costs.
What a backyard cottage is
It’s a detached ADU — a fully separate small home with its own entrance, kitchen and bathroom — styled as a cottage rather than a plain box.
Design & character
We design the cottage to match or complement your main house and sit naturally in the garden, with finishes and a roofline that feel intentional, not catalog.
Cost, sizes & permits
Cottages range from compact studios to larger two-bed layouts. Cost scales with size and finishes; we handle the OC permit process and quote firmly for your lot.
Why build with L Square
Design, permits and construction under one roof. L Square is a licensed Orange County design-build team (CSLB #1095476). One contract covers architecture, engineering, city approvals and our own build crews — so your ADU moves on a fixed schedule from first drawing to final inspection, across Orange County and Los Angeles.
- 01 · Architect-grade design
- Every unit is drawn around your lot, light and privacy.
- 02 · Permit-ready, OC-savvy
- We know each city’s ADU rules and clear the approvals for you.
- 03 · Built once, built right
- Our own crews deliver on a fixed schedule, foundation to finishes.
Licensed · Insured · Bonded · CSLB #1095476 · Orange County & Los Angeles
Frequently asked questions
Is a backyard cottage the same as a detached ADU?
How big can it be?
What’s the cost range in OC?
Can it match my house style?
What’s the permit process?
Building an ADU in your Orange County city
ADU rules vary by city — we handle the specifics for your address. Statewide, California allows ADUs up to about 1,200 sq ft with 4-ft side and rear setbacks (CA HCD); your city may add its own details. For the statewide rules, see the CA HCD ADU Handbook.
Ready to start
your ADU?
Get a free, no-pressure quote from a licensed Orange County design-build team — and a plan drawn around your lot.
