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Trusted resources for your ADU project
What you need to know about successfully planning and finding expert help for your accessory dwelling unit
An online resource provided by Daniel S. Gonzales, attorney at law
California faces a critical imbalance between job growth and residential stock. Experts have concluded that a key component in bridging this gap will be accessory dwelling units (“ADUs”), also known as “granny units” or “in-law flats.” ADUs are far from a new idea, but “NIMBY” laws intended to preserve neighborhood character have long restrained their use. Despite these restrictions, however, it is estimated that Los Angeles has 50,000 illegal units.
Recent California legislation aimed at remedying our housing shortage is expected to accelerate ADU construction across the state. These reforms set statewide ADU standards, voided local laws imposing more restrictive limits, established a process and timeline for local government to comply with these new standards, and addressed overregulation.
These efforts appear to be paying off, as permits for and construction of ADUs are on the rise. Still, property owners who want to plan and execute ADU projects need sources of information about resources, laws, and tools to help increase their chances of success.
To help those interested in ADUs meet these needs, I have created this website, which features news about ADUs, as well as an FAQ on ADU basics. I have also provided online tools to assist ADU developers. The Excel-based “Return on Investment” tool has a template designed for ADUs to help plan projects and track costs. The “Regulations” section will help you identify the jurisdiction in Santa Clara County in which your project is located and ascertain their relevant guidelines. Finally, I have included a forum for client references of local ADU project vendors; as you successfully deal with such vendors, I hope you will share your thoughts here.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about ADUs or if you are looking for professional services related to their planning, design, construction or marketing.
ROI Calculator
You can download this MS Excel calculator how many years your ADU project will take to break even.
To use the excel worksheet, enter your values into the cells highlighted in green and blue by double clicking on them in the “assumptions” tab. The bottom cell in yellow will show you your “Number of Years to break even”. You’ll need to make some assumptions about the cost of construction, the property tax impacts, and the rental income rate. You can also view (and modify) the core calculator assumptions.
ROI Calculator, courtesy of Accessory Dwellings website.
In the News
Redwood City trims the height of two-story ADUs and encourages one-story units
In July, the City of Redwood City enacted ordinances imposing height and privacy restrictions on ADUs in response to a spate of objections from local residents who raised concerns about the increase in second-story ADUs in their neighborhoods, which has resulted from changes in local codes encouraging ADUs in that city. Since 2015, Redwood City … [Read More...]
“[L]iterally, ‘Yes in My Backyard’”: Boosting the construction of rent-controlled ADUs in San Jose
In partnership with the Housing Trust of Silicon Valley, Mayor Sam Liccardo of San Jose has introduced a proposal to spur construction of ADUs to help address the housing crisis. The city’s “Yes in My Backyard” program would waive impact fees and provide forgivable loans to homeowners in San Jose who build an ADU or convert a garage into a … [Read More...]
