Backyard Cottage Builder in Sonoma County
Backyard Cottages. Designed, Permitted, Built.
Northern Hills Construction designs and builds detached backyard cottages - standalone accessory dwelling units - across Sonoma County. A backyard cottage adds a long-term rental, guest house, or private space for family without changing your existing home. As a licensed general contractor based in Guerneville, our father-son team manages the entire process for you: site feasibility, design, permitting, and construction. One crew and one point of contact, from the first sketch to the final inspection.
How We Build Your Backyard Cottage
Common Questions
How big can a backyard cottage be? Under current Sonoma County standards, a new detached ADU can be up to 1,200 square feet and up to 35 feet tall, with 4-foot side and rear setbacks. Your lot's zoning and layout decide the final footprint - we confirm exactly what fits at the first consultation. Do I need extra parking, or to live on the property? No. ADUs are exempt from minimum parking requirements, and there is no owner-occupancy requirement - you do not have to live on the property. Can I rent out my backyard cottage? Yes, long-term. Sonoma County does not allow ADUs as vacation or short-term rentals under 31 days, but a cottage makes an excellent long-term rental or space for family. Will my cottage need fire sprinklers? Only if your primary home is required to have them - current standards do not require sprinklers in an ADU when the main home does not.
Our proven 3-step method for planning, permitting, and building your cottage.
1. Feasibility & Design
Every cottage starts with your lot: zoning, setbacks, access, and utilities. Under current Permit Sonoma standards, a new detached ADU can be up to 1,200 square feet and 35 feet tall, with 4-foot side and rear setbacks - we tell you exactly what your lot allows and design to fit.
2. Permits, Handled
We prepare the plans, submit them, and manage the review with your local building department. ADU approvals are ministerial in California - no discretionary hearings - but the details matter, and we handle them.
3. Build With Confidence
Our own crew builds your cottage with the same craftsmanship as our custom homes. We schedule every inspection and hand over a finished, code-compliant unit ready for move-in.
From a compact studio cottage to a full two-bedroom unit, we design, permit, and build detached backyard cottages of every size. Here is how we can add living space to your property.
New Detached Cottages
A standalone backyard cottage is the most flexible way to add a rental unit, guest house, or space for family. We handle the entire build - foundation, framing, utilities, and finishes - with a layout designed around your lot, access, and privacy.
Plans & Permitting
We prepare the plans and manage the ministerial review with your local building department. Permit Sonoma also offers pre-reviewed and factory-built ADU designs that can cut plan-check time and fees - we help you compare the options.
One Crew, Start to Finish
The same father-son team that designs your cottage builds it - site work, foundation, utilities, finishes, and every inspection. One point of contact from the first sketch to the final walkthrough.