Today I’d like to cover a few key points that California homeowners should know about accessory dwelling units.
Accessory dwelling units (or ADUs) are creating a lot of buzz in the market lately.
They even have the blessing of the state legislature in the form of Assembly Bill 2299 and Senate
Bill 1069, which Governor Jerry Brown signed into law in 2017. This legislation has unified all disparate
municipal codes in terms of the legality of ADUs.
Bill 1069, which Governor Jerry Brown signed into law in 2017. This legislation has unified all disparate
municipal codes in terms of the legality of ADUs.
The purpose behind these bills is to address housing availability. As you likely know, California is
seeing a housing shortage of more than half a million units. Accessory dwelling units help to
resolve issues related to this shortage. Elderly people who have an in-home healthcare worker,
for example, are just one demographic that benefit from the pieces of legislation I mentioned earlier.
seeing a housing shortage of more than half a million units. Accessory dwelling units help to
resolve issues related to this shortage. Elderly people who have an in-home healthcare worker,
for example, are just one demographic that benefit from the pieces of legislation I mentioned earlier.
Also, land is expensive. This makes accessory dwelling units an attractive option, since they are built
onto an existing structure or property. In turn, this eliminates additional expenses such as those related
to utilities or sewer connections.
onto an existing structure or property. In turn, this eliminates additional expenses such as those related
to utilities or sewer connections.
Land is expensive, which makes accessory dwelling units an attractive option.
There are three types of accessory dwelling units: detached, attached, and those that
repurpose an existing structure—in other words, an existing home can be remodeled so that certain
rooms become classified as their own unit. This last type of ADU is particularly interesting because it is something the city of Chino has allowed homeowners here to pursue long before recent statewide
legislation came into play.
repurpose an existing structure—in other words, an existing home can be remodeled so that certain
rooms become classified as their own unit. This last type of ADU is particularly interesting because it is something the city of Chino has allowed homeowners here to pursue long before recent statewide
legislation came into play.
But how large can ADUs be built? Well, according to state law, an ADU may be no larger than 1,200
square feet. And ADUs attached to an existing structure may not exceed 50% of the total building.
square feet. And ADUs attached to an existing structure may not exceed 50% of the total building.
There are a number of options for adding an ADU to your property. Adding an ADU above your
garage, for example, is another route homeowners may take. And parking restrictions will not apply to
these properties, as on-site parking is not required so long as the property is within a half-mile radius
of public transportation.
garage, for example, is another route homeowners may take. And parking restrictions will not apply to
these properties, as on-site parking is not required so long as the property is within a half-mile radius
of public transportation.
Of course, before you settle on any of these options, it’s important to determine whether adding an
ADU will be legal for your specific property. Zoning requirements stipulate that the current
residence on the property must be a single-family home.
ADU will be legal for your specific property. Zoning requirements stipulate that the current
residence on the property must be a single-family home.
If you have any other questions or would like to learn more about ADUs, feel free to give me a call
or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
