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JADU Kitchenette.

Efficiency kitchen that meets Junior ADU state law — and feels like a real kitchen.

A JADU kitchenette is the smallest legal kitchen in California — and a meaningful design challenge. The state law (Gov Code §65852.22) explicitly allows an efficiency kitchen rather than a full range, but the unit still needs to function as a real living space. We design the kitchenette around how the JADU will actually be used: a small studio for a college student looks different from a multi-gen suite for an in-law.

Typical range

$8K – $25K total kitchenette

Per unit

$1,000 – $2,500 / linear ft installed

Timeline

1–2 weeks once rough is complete.

The short version.

California JADU law allows an efficiency kitchen instead of a full kitchen — no requirement for a 220V range, no requirement for a 4-burner cooktop. The minimum equipment is a cooking facility (cooktop or appliance), a food prep counter, storage, and a sink. The maximum kitchenette footprint isn't capped by state law, but most JADU kitchenettes we build are 6–10 linear feet of cabinets to leave room for the rest of the 500 sqft unit.

The cooking facility is the design fork. A 24 in induction cooktop (120V or 240V) is the most kitchen-like option and plays well with energy code. A two-burner electric or gas hot-plate satisfies code at lowest cost but reads as 'dorm.' A combination microwave-convection oven over a 24 in induction unit gives full baking capability without a separate oven. The choice should match the JADU's intended use.

Plumbing is straightforward — one cold and one hot supply, one drain, ABS DWV vented to the existing main-house system. Electrical needs are modest: a 20A countertop circuit, a dedicated 20A for the dishwasher/microwave/garbage disposal combo, and the cooktop circuit (typically 30–40A for induction, 50A if going to a full electric range). We coordinate the kitchenette's loads into the main-house panel load calc.

What you can actually pick.

  • Compact stock cabinets (6–8 linear ft)

    Pros — Fastest install, lowest cost, matches efficiency-kitchen aesthetic.

    Cons — Limited storage, requires careful planning to fit appliances.

    $3K–$7K installed20–30 years

  • Custom cabinets (8–10 linear ft, designed for the space)

    Pros — Maximum storage, fits awkward JADU floor plans, feels like a real kitchen.

    Cons — Higher cost, longer lead time.

    $6K–$14K installed30+ years

  • Open shelving + minimal lower cabinets

    Pros — Lightest visual footprint, makes small JADU feel larger.

    Cons — Less storage, items always visible, requires owner discipline.

    $2K–$5K installed20+ years

What we deliver.

  • JADU floor plan layout — kitchenette placement, sightlines from sleeping area
  • Appliance selection — induction cooktop, microwave-convection oven, dishwasher option
  • Cabinet design — 6–10 linear feet with maximum storage in minimum footprint
  • Plumbing rough — cold and hot supply to sink, drain to main DWV
  • Electrical rough — 20A counter circuit, cooktop circuit, dishwasher circuit
  • Counter material — quartz or solid surface for non-porous easy clean
  • Backsplash tile or solid-surface integral
  • Sink install — single bowl 24 in stainless or composite
  • Final appliance install and circuit test
  • Title 24 compliance verification for any added lighting

The code parts most owners miss.

  • JADU efficiency kitchen is permitted by Gov Code §65852.22 — no requirement for full range or full oven.
  • Sink requires hot and cold supply, vented drain per UPC.
  • GFCI required at all countertop receptacles within 6 ft of sink (NEC 210.8).
  • Kitchen exhaust required if cooktop is gas; not required for induction or electric cooktops.
  • JADU overall: max 500 sqft, owner-occupancy required, interior conversion only (no new exterior walls).

Why getting this right pays off.

The JADU kitchenette is the difference between a permitted, rentable unit and a converted bedroom. Done right, it makes the JADU functional and attractive to renters or family members. Done as a minimum-viable hot plate, it reads as temporary and undermines the value of the entire JADU project.

Most JADU owners eventually convert their unit to a full ADU under California's permit pathways. Building a quality kitchenette from the start means the upgrade path (adding a full range, expanding the cabinet run) is straightforward later.

What goes wrong — and how to avoid it.

  • Installing a 240V range — exceeds JADU efficiency-kitchen interpretation in some cities
  • No GFCI on countertop receptacles — fails inspection
  • Forgetting the trap arm clearance under the sink — code violation, expensive re-rough
  • Skipping the dishwasher circuit when planning for one later — re-pulling wire is costly
  • Choosing a hood vent for induction — not required, adds cost and complexity

After we hand you the keys.

  • Wipe down countertops and backsplash after every use
  • Re-caulk sink rim every 3–5 years
  • Service induction cooktop per manufacturer schedule
  • Inspect under-sink area monthly for any leaks

In short.

What's the difference between a JADU kitchenette and a full kitchen?
JADU kitchenettes are explicitly permitted as 'efficiency kitchens' under state law — no requirement for a full range or full oven. A 24 in induction cooktop and a microwave-convection oven cover most cooking needs in 4 linear ft of counter space.
How much does a JADU kitchenette cost?
$8K–$25K total depending on cabinet tier and appliance choice. Compact stock cabinets: $3K–$7K. Custom cabinets: $6K–$14K. Add $2K–$5K for appliances and $1.5K–$3K for plumbing/electrical rough.
Can I install a full range in a JADU kitchenette?
Some cities allow it; some interpret state law as efficiency-only. We check with the local building department during design. Most JADU owners go with induction cooktop + combo oven, which satisfies any interpretation.
Do I need a range hood?
Not for induction or electric cooktops (no combustion). Required for any gas appliance. Most JADU kitchenettes skip the hood by going induction.
What appliances do I need in a JADU?
Minimum: a cooking facility (cooktop), a sink, refrigerator, and food storage. Most JADUs add a microwave or microwave-convection oven. Dishwashers are optional but a quality-of-life upgrade.
How long does a kitchenette take to install?
1–2 weeks of on-site work once the plumbing and electrical rough is complete. Cabinet lead time adds 4–8 weeks for stock and 8–14 weeks for custom.
Can the JADU share the main house's water heater?
Yes — most JADUs tap the existing water heater, since the JADU is interior to the existing house. A small point-of-use water heater for the kitchenette is an alternative if the existing heater is undersized.
Does the kitchenette need its own GFCI breaker?
All countertop receptacles within 6 ft of the sink need GFCI protection. A single GFCI receptacle at the start of the circuit protects the rest of the outlets downstream — most cost-effective approach.

Keep reading.

Planning jadu kitchenette?

Send us the address and the scope. We'll come back with a line-item budget, a permit path, and a realistic schedule — before you spend on drawings.

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