Granny Flats Have a New Name
Important Points:
“Accessory Dwelling Unit” — Fits All – AB68
With the push to increase affordable housing, there is a movement called, “YIMBY — Yes, in my backyard.”
State Law allows homeowners to add a second dwelling unit to their property with multiple provisions that decrease time and expense and increase speed with which one can be approved. This became effective January 1, 2020.
What is an ADU? An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a residential unit that can be added to a lot with an existing single-family home. ADUs can be detached (a separate building in a backyard), attached to or part of the primary residence, or a garage conversion. ADUs are independent. Square footage is 750 sf; a JADU is 500 sf within a residence.
State Law allows homeowners to add a second
dwelling unit to their property with multiple provisions
that decrease time and expense and increase speed
with which one can be approved.
There are automatic approvals as long as the ADU has exterior access and setbacks sufficient for fire safety, and ADU applications must be approved within 60 days without a hearing or discretionary review.
For ADU’s permitted by 2025, cities/counties cannot require the owner to live at the property. An ADU can be built at the same time as the primary dwelling.
No impact fees are required for ADUs less than 750 sf. An ADU can be developed at the same time as a primary dwelling.
Of great importance is a city/county must delay code enforcement on an unpermitted ADU to allow it to be legalized.
Single-family HOAs must allow the development of ADUs, subject to reasonable standards. S
A typical 700 sf ADU can cost from $118,000 to $254,000. This figure includes design fees and permits. The range is the result of choices in the quality of amenities including flooring, cabinets and fixtures.
A big bonus is the State Grant is available
up to $40,000 for people who add an ADU. If you have
already paid the cost and completed the construction,
the grant will be paid against your mortgage.
Cities/counties must permit certain categories of ADUs without applying any local development standards, if proposed on a single-family lot.
Cities/counties must generally approve an attached or detached ADU under 1,200 sf unless it adopts local development standards. There are numerous limitations: no minimum lot size is required; no maximum unit size lit less than 10000 sf ft for a two-bedroom ADU; no required replacement parking when a parking garage is converted into an ADU; no height limits less than 16 feet or size/rear setbacks requirements over 4 feet, among others. This is a major boost to increase housing, but the neighbors haven’t weighed in.
A big bonus is the State Grant is available up to $40,000 for people who add an ADU. If you have already paid the cost and completed the constructions, the grant will be paid against your mortgage. https://www.hppcares.org
Kay Wilson-Bolton is a real estate broker with Century 21 Everest and has served Ventura County since 1976. She is a member of the Vulnerable Population Housing Task Force. She can be reached at 805.340.5025. _kay@realestatemagic.com_