An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a self-contained living space located on the same lot as a primary residence. It can be an attached or detached structure, a converted garage, or an internal conversion. A garage conversion repurposes your existing attached or detached garage into fully conditioned, finished living space — without adding to your footprint. Both are among the most cost-effective ways to add usable square footage to your Prescott property.
Demand for ADUs and garage conversions in the Prescott area has grown sharply in recent years. Prescott's rental market is tight, and a well-finished ADU can generate between $1,200 and $1,800 per month in long-term rental income — enough to cover a significant portion of the project cost within just a few years. Multigenerational families are also converting garages to give aging parents or adult children a private, independent space without the cost of a second property. And with Prescott's thriving short-term vacation rental market, a converted garage or detached ADU can perform as a productive Airbnb or VRBO listing during peak tourism months.
Infinity Kitchen and Bath offers a complete design-build service for garage conversions and ADUs in Prescott and throughout Yavapai County. We handle everything in-house: architectural drawings, permit applications, structural work, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, insulation, drywall, flooring, and all finish selections. You work with one team from the first consultation through the final Certificate of Occupancy.
A converted garage or newly built ADU can serve almost any purpose. Here are the most popular uses our Prescott clients choose.
Generate $1,200–$1,800 per month in Prescott's competitive rental market. A self-contained ADU with its own entrance, kitchen, and bathroom commands strong rents and can significantly offset your mortgage or fund other home improvements.
Give visiting family members a private, comfortable space that's close but independent. A finished guest suite with a full bath and small sitting area provides far more comfort than a spare bedroom — and far more privacy for everyone.
Aging parents or adult children can maintain independence with their own private entrance, kitchenette, and living area — all steps from the main house. Multi-generational living arrangements are one of the fastest-growing trends in Prescott-area remodeling.
Work from home in a separate, professional environment that's free from household distractions. A converted garage makes an ideal home office, creative studio, or remote work hub — with proper insulation, lighting, and climate control built in.
Prescott's strong tourism economy and limited hotel inventory make it one of Arizona's most active short-term rental markets. A tastefully finished ADU or converted garage can perform exceptionally as a vacation rental, especially near downtown or Watson Lake.
Whether you need space for woodworking, art, music, or fitness, a fully conditioned and finished garage conversion gives you a dedicated area that doesn't eat into your living space. Proper insulation and HVAC make it comfortable year-round in Prescott's climate.
A garage conversion is more involved than a simple interior renovation. It requires bringing an unfinished, unconditioned space up to residential building code. Here's what that means in practice.
The garage door opening must be infilled with framed wall, sheathing, insulation, and exterior cladding that matches or complements the existing home. This is one of the most visible elements of a conversion and when done well, can make the transition nearly invisible from the street.
The existing concrete slab typically needs waterproofing and a vapor barrier before any flooring can be installed. Depending on the slab condition, we may also need to address cracking, slope, or drainage issues. Walls are framed for insulation — we install to a minimum of R-19 in exterior walls, with R-30 or better in the ceiling — meeting or exceeding current Arizona energy code requirements.
Window placement matters both for natural light and egress compliance. If the converted space will be used as a bedroom or sleeping area, at least one window must meet egress size requirements under the International Residential Code as adopted by Arizona.
Heating and cooling a converted garage requires its own HVAC solution. We most commonly install a ductless mini-split system, which is highly efficient, provides both heating and cooling, and avoids the need to extend existing ductwork. Mini-splits are particularly well suited to Prescott's climate, where both summer cooling and winter heating are necessary.
If the conversion will include a bathroom, laundry, or kitchenette, plumbing rough-in must be planned early — ideally before the slab is covered. Running supply and drain lines in a concrete slab may require cutting and patching. The electrical panel may need upgrading to accommodate the new circuits for HVAC, lighting, outlets, and appliances.
Finish work includes drywall, tape, texture, and paint; your choice of flooring (LVP, tile, or hardwood); interior doors and trim; cabinetry and countertops if a kitchenette or wet bar is included; and fixture and hardware selection throughout. Our team coordinates all trades and finish selections under one contract, so nothing falls through the cracks.
Zoning and permitting rules for ADUs vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Here's a general overview — we always verify current requirements with the City of Prescott or Yavapai County before beginning any project.
The City of Prescott permits ADUs on single-family residential lots in most standard zoning districts. ADU size is typically limited as a percentage of the primary dwelling's floor area, or capped at a maximum square footage defined by code — commonly in the range of 600–1,200 square feet depending on lot size and zone. Setback requirements for detached ADUs must also be observed.
Some Prescott zoning districts have historically required owner-occupancy, meaning either the primary residence or the ADU must be occupied by the property owner. This has evolved over time in response to state-level ADU legislation in Arizona, which has progressively reduced local governments' ability to restrict ADU development. We review current requirements at the start of every project.
Properties outside city limits in unincorporated Yavapai County fall under the County's land use and zoning ordinances, which differ from the City's. If your property is in Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, or an unincorporated area, different rules apply, and we research those requirements specifically for your parcel.
A garage conversion or ADU requires a building permit from the relevant jurisdiction — City of Prescott, Prescott Valley, or Yavapai County. Depending on the scope, separate sub-permits for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work may be required in addition to the primary building permit.
For a garage conversion, the permit application typically requires a site plan, floor plan, and construction drawings that demonstrate code compliance. Infinity prepares or coordinates all required drawings as part of our design-build service. After permit submission, plan review times vary — currently averaging two to four weeks for residential projects at the City of Prescott — though this can change based on department workload.
From permit issuance to final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy, a typical garage conversion takes three to five months, depending on scope, contractor scheduling, and inspection turnaround times. More complex ADU new construction projects may take longer. We give you a realistic project timeline during the design phase so you can plan accordingly.
Note: Zoning ordinances, ADU regulations, and permit requirements change regularly. Always verify current requirements with the City of Prescott Development Services Department or Yavapai County Community Development before proceeding.
We've developed a clear, step-by-step process that keeps your project on schedule, on budget, and fully permitted. Here's what to expect from start to finish.
We start by reviewing your property's zoning classification, lot size, existing structures, and setbacks to confirm that a garage conversion or ADU is permitted under current rules. We'll identify any restrictions, easements, or HOA requirements that may affect the project, and give you a clear picture of what's possible before any design work begins.
Our design team develops a floor plan, construction drawings, and all required documentation for permit submission. We walk you through the layout, discuss finish options, and lock in the project scope before anything is submitted. Once approved, you have drawings you own — not renderings, but actual permit-ready construction documents.
With permits in hand, we begin the structural work: garage door infill, framing, slab prep and vapor barrier. Immediately following, our licensed plumbing and electrical subs complete all rough-in work — supply lines, drain lines, panel upgrades, circuits, and HVAC system installation — before any walls are closed. All rough-in work is inspected before proceeding.
After rough-in inspections pass, we install insulation (R-19 walls, R-30 ceiling minimum), then hang, tape, texture, and paint drywall. Flooring, cabinetry, countertops, trim, doors, fixtures, and hardware are installed in the correct sequence to minimize callbacks and damage. This phase is where the space truly transforms from a construction site into a finished room.
Once all work is complete, we schedule the final inspection with the building department. Upon passing, the jurisdiction issues a Certificate of Occupancy, which formally confirms the space is legally habitable and compliant with all applicable codes. We walk you through the finished space, review all systems, and hand over your warranty documentation.
Garage conversions and ADUs often pair naturally with other whole-home projects. Explore our full range of remodeling services below.
Add square footage by building out rather than converting existing space. Room additions, second-story additions, and bump-outs give you new space where you need it most.
Learn More →Our integrated design-build model means one team handles design, permitting, and construction. No gaps in communication, no finger-pointing between contractors.
Learn More →If your project extends beyond the garage, our whole-house remodeling team can coordinate every room — kitchen, bathrooms, living spaces, and more — under one contract.
Learn More →From a single garage conversion to a complete home transformation, Infinity Kitchen and Bath delivers craftsmanship, permitting expertise, and design talent across every project type.
View All ServicesWhether you're ready to build a rental ADU, create a private suite for family, or convert dead garage space into a room you'll actually use — Infinity Kitchen and Bath is Prescott's trusted design-build partner. Contact us for a free on-site consultation and estimate.