Los Altos Backyard ADU From Stucco to Finishes
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About This ADU
This is a detached backyard ADU that Axiom Renovation is building in Los Altos. It sits behind the main house along the side and rear yards, with a stucco exterior, a gabled roof with exposed rafter tails and corbels, and a bright, open interior. We document each stage in CompanyCam and share the highlights here.
Type: Detached ADU (new construction)
Permitting: City of Los Altos, ministerial ADU building permit
Heating and cooling: Heat pump
Status: Interior finishes, October 2026
Build Progress, August to October 2026
Photos taken by our crew on site. The address and owners are kept private.
Exterior: Stucco and Rafter Tails
By August the exterior was in stucco, with new windows protected during the finish coats. The exposed rafter tails and wood corbels give the ADU a craftsman character that fits the neighborhood. Los Altos does not allow exterior lighting facing neighbors on ADUs or roof-mounted equipment, so lighting and the heat pump were planned around those rules.
Bathroom: Large-Format Tile Shower
The shower is finished in large-format porcelain panels with a recessed niche and a high window for daylight and ventilation. Fewer grout lines make it easier to clean and give a small bathroom a cleaner look.
Interior: Drywall, Oak Floors, Trim and Cabinets
Through September the crew finished drywall and texture, installed wide-plank oak flooring and painted trim and baseboards. In October the Shaker-style kitchen cabinets went in, with the kitchen open to the living area. Los Altos requires a full kitchen in every ADU, and a separate exterior entrance.
What This Project Shows About Building in Los Altos
- Ministerial approval: the ADU was approved through a building permit, with no planning hearing or neighbor notice.
- Setbacks: Los Altos allows detached ADUs 4 feet from side and rear property lines, which is what makes a side-yard layout like this possible.
- Electrification: a heat pump keeps the ADU efficient and avoids running a new gas line.
- Inspections: Los Altos requires all rough inspections to be ready together, so trades are scheduled to finish rough work at the same time.
Read our full Los Altos ADU guide for sizes, height, parking and permit steps, or see our 1,200 sq ft detached ADU in Los Altos.
More Los Altos ADU Resources
Los Altos Backyard ADU Project FAQ
Is this ADU detached?
Yes, it is a detached ADU in the backyard.
How is the ADU heated and cooled?
With a heat pump.
Did the project need a public hearing?
No. Los Altos approves ADUs ministerially through a building permit.
Can you build an ADU like this on my lot?
We start with a free site assessment of your setbacks, trees, utilities and access.