What Is a Casita & Should You Build One?

Interior of a two-story "tiny house," or casita. Wood-slat vaulted ceiling, small staircase, rugs on the floor.A casita is a small, unattached home or guesthouse on the same parcel as a larger home. It contains a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom and is typically used as a guest suite, in-law suite, or rental.

A casita can be a great addition to your Tucson property, but like any new building project, it must adhere to Tucson’s building codes.

Here’s what you should know about Tucson’s stance on casitas and how it may impact your plan to build one.

Tucson’s Casita Proposal

The city of Tucson has recently approved a plan that allows casitas or accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to be built on any residential lot throughout the city, rather than just on larger parcels.

The goal of the proposal is to increase affordable housing options in the city.

Casitas of 650 square feet can be built on any lot, but the size of a casita is limited to 10% of the lot size or 1,000 square feet, whichever is smaller.

The casitas are limited to 12 feet tall or the height of the main home if it’s a two-story building, and each casita must have one parking space. Other restrictions apply, such as setbacks, and the new building must feature a cool roof.

Call Now for Free Consultation

Why Build a Casita?

Casitas can be a great place for guests and family to stay while visiting, complete with their own kitchen and bathroom for privacy and autonomy.

They’re also ideal as in-law apartments, giving family members their own space while remaining close to their loved ones. Casitas are also the perfect solution for elder care, providing a safe, comfortable space where older family members can maintain their independence while getting a bit of help with daily activities.

A casita can also be a steady, reliable income source when used as a short-term or long-term rental.

The Benefits of a Casita or Guesthouse

Building a casita is no small undertaking, but it can provide several potential benefits for your home and family:

  • Increased property value if you ever decide to sell your home
  • More useful space for guests and added privacy
  • A separate, autonomous space for in-laws, parents, or tenants
  • Additional income with minimal maintenance and upkeep

With the new rules about casitas going into effect soon throughout Tucson, it makes sense to take advantage of them, whether you want to add space for guests, take care of older family members, or add a bit of extra income.

Start Building Your Casita in Tucson, AZ Today

Are you considering a casita for your Tucson home? Talk to our building and remodeling specialists at Aaron & Co. We can walk you through the options and help you determine if a casita or guesthouse is a good choice for your Tucson property.

Our team can design and build your casita, and we make the process easy by coordinating everything in-house, from design and permitting to finished construction. Our company offers top-notch service, professionalism, and integrity, as well as industry-leading craftsmanship and quality.

Call Now for Free Consultation

Ready to start building your casita? Call (520) 999-2244 or contact us online to schedule your free in-home consultation in the Tucson area today.

Stop by our gallery to see our exceptional craftsmanship in action.

Get a Free Consultation

  • “Aaron designed plans for my wife and me that combined a 3-room casita with attached 2-car garage. His comprehensive knowledge and attention to the smallest details were enormously helpful. From structural considerations to aesthetics, from siting to permitting, he made a complex process simple, providing multiple iterations until the vision we had for this space was realized. His focus on cost-savings as well as quality were greatly appreciated. Aaron was a pleasure to work with and we highly recommend him.”

    Randy Fisher

  • “The construction process was smooth and Aaron’s team was in constant communication with us. They provided us with proper expectations and then met or exceeded them. This gave us a great sense of ease for we have remodeled before with a different contractor and it was constant anxiety. Aaron & Co finished the project about two weeks early than promised and kept the project within our provided budget, including the changes that we requested. The final product turned out beautifully and the service rendered was outstanding.”

    Rich Cunningham

  • “You and your team made it possible – all the way from help creating the plans, drafting the architectural drawings, and of course building our spaces. Your professional approach built confidence from the beginning. Everyone that worked on our project added to a great final product. Finishing the project for the same price that you quoted at the beginning was a pleasant surprise. Tieraona and I appreciated how you kept us informed, and completed work with the quality that you promised at the beginning of the process. You can count on us to recommend your company.”

    Jim Carnazzo