California is continuing to update the sweeping 2020 legislation to make homes more adaptable and functional, allowing for the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) with even greater ease.
As of 2024, California has continued to refine its ADU laws, making it even easier for homeowners to add accessory dwelling units to their properties. These updates have further streamlined the approval process, relaxed regulations, and expanded the potential uses for ADUs. They can be attached to the primary house, garage conversions, in a basement or crawl-space conversions, or be an independent cottage in the backyard.
While specific regulations vary by jurisdiction, the possibility of getting additional living space in your backyard is now a more tangible reality. ADUs are expressly permitted by state law, and local agencies are required to streamline the approvals process.
State-exempt ADUs can be up to 800 sq.ft., are not required to be added to Floor Area Ratio calculations or parking provision requirements. They must still, however, comply with the building code and meet current energy efficiency standards. Non-state exempt, or local, ADU programs often allow larger units but can often be a trickier path to navigate when it comes to permitting.
Key changes in 2024 include:
Increased Height Limits: ADUs can now be built higher than 16 feet in certain circumstances, providing more flexibility in design and maximizing living space.
Relaxed Setback Requirements: The rules regarding front setbacks have been clarified, making it easier to build ADUs closer to the street in some cases.
Permanent Elimination of Owner-Occupancy Requirements: Property owners can now build and rent out ADUs without having to live on the property themselves, opening up new investment opportunities.
Increased ADU Construction: The combination of favorable legislation and a growing demand for additional housing has led to a significant increase in ADU construction across California.
Expanding Use Cases: ADUs are being used for a wider range of purposes, including home offices, guest accommodations, and even as primary residences.
A MULTI-FUNCTIONAL HOME
Since the pandemic forced us all to consider how our homes could suddenly fulfill many more roles than their traditional functions of rest and entertaining, with many nowadays needing to accommodate remote work. An ADU can provide flexibility in response to these shifting needs.
The working-from-home trend, while now more of a hybrid, seems likely to remain. The open plan layouts of many modern homes are not well suited to even one household member working from home. An ADU in the backyard or above the garage that also functions as an office, a home gym or both would ensure personal space for each family member and provide some resemblance of a work-life balance.
MORE SPACE FOR MORE OF THE FAMILY
Global pandemics aside, the trend in multigenerational households, since 2008, has seen a resurgence with some 20% of Americans — an all-time high of 64 million people — currently living this way. The revival is partly driven by young adults moving home, and not just by economic necessity but by beneficial social impulses of being close to family.
Polling data also suggests that many young people are already looking ahead to helping their parents in old age. Families are always evolving, and an ADU also presents the ideal opportunity for boomerang kids returning from school to start their careers close to home. An ADU can empower them to maintain their independence without rising rents adding to their student debts or having to move far away to afford a house.
For those with small children and full-time jobs, an ADU is an opportunity for them to live up to their traditional moniker of the “granny-flat.” Grandparents can help with the kids and still be able to retreat to their own space when they need to. Home builder, Lennar, has already reacted by starting to produce two homes under one roof to address the rising demand.
SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND FINANCIAL BENEFIT
As families change and nests empty, extra space is not always necessary. In this case, the ADU can also serve as an additional revenue stream. This benefits society by contributing much-needed housing stock with a low-impact sustainability footprint. An added benefit included in the State’s legislation, is permission to rent ADUs for more than 30-days, unlike other accessory structures.
In Los Angeles, The Backyard Homes Project is an ADU initiative that enables the average homeowner to become a provider of affordable housing. The LA-based group incentivizes homeowners to build ADUs by offering support with the design, construction, and financing of a project if they are willing to accept Section 8 vouchers for a minimum of five years.
As an infill development that makes efficient use of existing infrastructure, ADUs are inherently sustainable. They also help increase density levels – at which point public transit becomes viable and private vehicle use decreases. The nature of their size means they use less resources than a typical single-family home for heating and cooling.
ADAPTABILITY
While modular homes are an option, there is a distinct advantage to retaining the help of an architect. Gaining an understanding of a particular family’s needs is where architects add value and find the most suitable solutions in terms of the interaction between a primary home and ADU, including maximizing privacy, visual connections, and how to best facilitate access to both.
The changing landscape of modern living has led to a renewed appreciation for our homes and their ability to meet our diverse needs. Whether you're seeking more space, a closer connection with family, or additional income, the ADU legislation offers a valuable opportunity to enhance your living environment. By adding an ADU, you can create a more resilient, sustainable, and comfortable home that aligns with your lifestyle goals.
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