More of the families I build for in St. George are asking for a casita than ever before. Both of the homes we have for sale right now have one. After 30 years of building in Southern Utah, here’s my plain answer on what a casita is, why it makes sense here, and what to get right if you put one in your plans.
What is a casita?
Short answer: a casita is a private suite attached to (or next to) the main house, with its own outside entrance and its own bathroom. Most of the ones we build also get a kitchenette, and some get their own laundry. It’s part of the home, but someone can come and go without walking through your kitchen.
That separate entrance is the whole point. A bedroom with a bathroom is a guest room. A bedroom with a bathroom, a kitchenette and its own door is a place someone can actually live for a week, a season or for good.
Why are casitas so popular in St. George and Southern Utah?
Short answer: because of who lives here and who comes to visit. Washington County draws retirees, snowbirds, families moving down from the Wasatch Front, and a steady stream of kids and grandkids who want to visit when it’s snowing up north. A casita lets everybody stay close without being on top of each other.
The uses I see most often:
- Aging parents who want independence but need family nearby.
- Grown kids saving up, or coming home between jobs or school.
- Guests and snowbird family who stay for weeks, not days.
- A home office or studio with a door that closes the work day off from the house.
- Future flexibility. Your needs in ten years probably won’t be the same as today.
Does a casita add value to a home?
Short answer: in my experience it widens the pool of buyers, because it solves problems a regular bedroom can’t. A buyer bringing a parent along, or one who hosts family all winter, will often shortlist only homes with a separate suite. That’s a big part of why we put casitas in our own spec homes.
What it’s worth in dollars depends on the neighborhood, the size and finish of the casita, and the market when you sell. Anyone who gives you a flat number without looking at your home is guessing. If you’re thinking about renting it out, check your city’s rules and your HOA’s CC&Rs before you plan around that income. Rules on rentals and second kitchens vary from city to city and from one HOA to the next.
What should a well-built casita include?
Short answer: its own entry, a full bathroom, a kitchenette, good sound separation from the main house, and its own climate control. Here’s what I look at on every casita we build:
- A real private entrance from a courtyard, side yard or front walk, with a covered landing and good lighting.
- Its own heating and cooling. In a St. George July, you don’t want to cool the whole house so one guest is comfortable, or have the casita fighting the main thermostat. A separate zone or a ductless mini-split takes care of that.
- Sound control. Insulated walls and solid-core doors between the casita and the main living areas make a big difference in how private it feels on both sides.
- A kitchenette that fits how it’ll be used: sink, under-counter or apartment-size fridge, microwave, and cabinet space. Some families want a full kitchen; check your city and HOA rules first.
- Laundry, if it’s going to be used long-term. Our Desert Color home on Beechwood has laundry in the casita for exactly that reason.
- Aging-in-place details if a parent may live there: a no-step entry, wider doorways, a curbless shower and blocking in the walls for grab bars. These are easy and cheap to plan now and expensive to add later.
When do you need to decide on a casita?
Short answer: during plan design, before anything is permitted or poured. Most homes here are built slab-on-grade, which means the plumbing for the casita’s bathroom and kitchenette goes in the ground before the concrete is poured. Moving a toilet or adding a sink after the slab is in means cutting concrete. Deciding early is much cheaper.
If you’re building in a master-planned community like Desert Color, your plans also go through the community’s design review before the city permit, so the casita’s entry, windows and exterior need to fit the community’s guidelines from the start. Lot shape matters too. On some lots the casita works best off the front courtyard; on others it fits better next to the garage or at the back with its own path.
How much does it cost to add a casita?
Short answer: it depends on size, finishes and how it’s tied into the house. Every home is different, so call me for a real number on your plans. What drives the cost is extra square footage, a full bathroom, the kitchenette’s plumbing and electrical, the extra exterior door, and separate HVAC. Building it into the original plan costs far less than adding one later, because you pour, frame, roof and inspect it all at the same time as the rest of the house.
See casitas in homes we’ve built
Two Teeples homes for sale right now include casitas:
- Strawberry Fields, Hurricane: brand new and move-in ready, 4 bedrooms including a private-entry casita with kitchenette.
- Desert Color, St. George: under construction on a rim lot, 6 bedrooms including a casita with private entrance, bathroom, laundry and kitchenette.
You can also browse more of our work on the Portfolio page.
Casita FAQ
Is a casita the same as an ADU?
They overlap. “Casita” is what most people in Southern Utah call a private suite with its own entrance. Whether a city treats yours as an accessory dwelling unit depends on its layout and the local code, so we confirm that with the city during plan design.
Can a casita have a full kitchen?
Sometimes. It depends on your city’s rules and your HOA. Many families find a kitchenette with a sink, small fridge and microwave covers what they need.
Should a casita be attached or detached?
Most of the casitas we build are attached, with a private exterior entrance. That’s simpler to build and permit, and it keeps everything under one roof. A detached casita can work on the right lot, but check setbacks and HOA rules first.
Can I add a casita to a home I already own?
Sometimes, depending on the lot, setbacks and HOA. But on a slab-on-grade home it’s a bigger job than planning one from the start. If you’re building new, put it in the plans now, even if you finish it simply.
Which areas do you build casitas in?
Anywhere we build in Washington County: St. George, Desert Color, Washington, Hurricane, Ivins, Santa Clara and surrounding communities.
Thinking about a casita?
Call or text me at 801-735-4798, or reach out on our Contact page. Bring your lot, your plans or just an idea, and we’ll figure out where a casita fits and what it’ll take. — Cam Teeples, Teeples Custom Builders, St. George, Utah