California Department of Housing and Community Development
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) What are ADUs?
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are known by many names: granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, secondary units and more. No matter what you call them, ADUs are an innovative, affordable, effective option for adding much-needed housing in California.
What are the benefits of ADUs?
- ADUs are an affordable type of home to construct in California because they do not require paying for land, major new infrastructure, structured parking, or elevators.
- ADUs can provide a source of income for homeowners.
- ADUs are built with cost-effective wood frame construction, which is significantly lesscostly than homes in new multifamily infill buildings.
- ADUs allow extended families to be near one another while maintaining privacy.
- ADUs can provide as much living space as many newly-built apartments andcondominiums, and they’re suited well for couples, small families, friends, young people,and seniors.
- ADUs give homeowners the flexibility to share independent living areas with familymembers and others, allowing seniors to age in place as they require more care.New laws effective January 1, 2018Recent state legislation provides clarification and fee assistance for the creation of ADUs. Governor Brown signed two separate bills on October 8, 2017: These bills, effective January 1, 2018, will clarify and improve various provisions of the law to promote the development of
