State and local regulations are making it even easier for homeowners to build ADUs now. The two most recent legislative bills include provisions for:

Allowing ADUs to be built concurrently with a single-family home

Expanding areas where ADUs can be built to include all zoning districts that allow single-family and multi-family uses; Modifying fees from utilities, such as special districts and water corporations; and Reducing parking requirements.

Many local cities in Southern California are also making the process more streamlined by offering quicker permitting, no parking requirements, and reduced fees. Under state law, the size of an ADU attached to the main house is limited to a maximum of 1,200 square feet or half the size of the existing residence, whichever is smaller. Detached units can’t be larger than 1,200 square feet.