San Francisco, California
Container ADUs and storefronts for the Bay Area
TankBoxes designs and builds shipping container ADUs, backyard studios, home offices, cafés and kiosks across San Francisco and the East Bay.
Start a San Francisco projectBuilding in San Francisco
Bay Area sites range from tight city lots to steep hillside parcels, the air is salty and the code is strict. We build for all of it: compact layouts that make the most of a small yard, steel protected against marine air, and engineering ready for permit review.
Areas we serve
- San Francisco
- Oakland
- Berkeley
- Alameda
- Piedmont
- Walnut Creek
- Lafayette
- Orinda
- Daly City
- Marin County
Small lots, careful delivery
Many San Francisco backyards can only be reached by crane over the house. We survey access early and plan the lift, including any permit needed to use the street.
Hillsides and fire zones
Parts of the Oakland and Berkeley hills are steep and designated high fire hazard zones with ignition-resistant building requirements. A steel shell is noncombustible, and engineered piers level it without major grading.
Fog and salt air
Marine-grade coatings, sealed joints and ventilation that controls condensation protect the steel in the city's damp coastal climate.
Seismic and permits
Foundations and anchoring are engineered for California seismic requirements. California law requires cities to allow ADUs and to rule on a complete application within 60 days. We prepare the drawings for you.
Popular in San Francisco
Where to start
Can I build a shipping container ADU in San Francisco?
Yes. California state law requires San Francisco to allow ADUs on most residential lots and to decide on a complete permit application within 60 days. A container ADU is reviewed like any other ADU, so it needs engineered drawings, a proper foundation and code-compliant utilities. We prepare these as part of the design.
How do you get a container into a San Francisco backyard?
Usually by crane, lifted over the house from the street. We check access, overhead lines and crane placement during the site review, then arrange the lift and any permit needed to use the street.
Will fog and salt air rust a container building?
Unprotected steel will corrode near the ocean. That's why we use marine-grade exterior coatings, seal every cut edge and joint, and ventilate the interior to prevent condensation. As with any building near the coast, a periodic inspection keeps the finish in good shape.
Can you build a container ADU in the Oakland or Berkeley hills?
Often, yes. Hillside lots usually sit on engineered piers so we don't need major grading. Lots in designated fire hazard severity zones must also meet ignition-resistant construction requirements. A steel container shell is noncombustible, which helps, and we select exterior materials, vents and glazing to meet the rules for your zone.
We also build in Scottsdale.
Begin
Tell us about the place you have in mind.
Share your site, how you'll use the space and your budget. We'll reply within one business day with options and next steps.
Start a project