Rezoning a Home

Q: I am interested in a property with a single dwelling on 4 acres. What would I need to know if I intend to build a detached guest cottage?

A:You will need to contact your local building department to determine if the property is already zoned to add a detached cottage; what restrictions or requirements might apply; and if it is not currently zoned for a detached dwelling, what it would take to get it rezoned. If you have to get it rezoned, you might consider using a permit service to navigate through the red tape.

Once you determine what is required, there are several different ways to build the cottage. You could hire an architect or building designer to draw your plans, then ask three general contractors to bid from the plans. Or you could interview several design/build general contractors and choose one to do the whole project, from design, through the permit process, to construction and completion.

Kathy Maynard has been matching homeowners with home improvement contractors since 1990 and has written scores of articles advising homeowners how to find, hire and work with reputable service professionals. She also authors Weekend Warrior, a weekly home improvement column in The Sacramento Bee.