What is an ADU?

So what exactly is an “Accessory Dwelling Unit” anyway? Before diving into some of the regulations associated with ADUs, it makes sense to provide a clear definition:

An ADU can be defined as a smaller, independent residential dwelling unit located on the same lot/property as a stand-along (or detached) single-family home.

ADUs also go by other names:

Accessory Apartments
Secondary Suites
Granny-flats
In-law Units
Backyard Cottages

What are the benefits of an ADU?

Now that we have defined what an ADU is, let’s go over some of the benefits associated with them, many of which are related to financial incentive.

Affordability

No need to spend money on new land, parking structures,elevators or new major infrastructure.

Passive Income

Homeowners can earn automatic, passive income by adding an ADU to their property.

Flexibility

With ADUs, homeowners have the ability to share independent living areas with relatives, perhaps evenallowing seniors to age in place.

Cost-Effective

ADUs are built with wood-frame construction, a much more cost-effective option than materials used for multi-family buildings.

Extended Families

Extended families can live on the same site and enjoy proximity while also maintaining privacy.

Extra Space

ADUs provide extra living space comparable to newly-built apartments, suitable for couples, smallfamilies and friends.

Long Beach, CA - A brief look

Let’s take a look at the City of Long Beach, CA for example. Prior to state- mandated laws regarding ADU’s, the City of Long Beach maintained the following restrictions for “granny flats”...

• New construction to create a secondary unit shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the floor area of the existing principal unit. The secondary unit shall not contain more than one (1) bedroom.

• The secondary unit shall be attached to the principal dwelling unit.

• The principal unit shall maintain the existing number of parking spaces and shall also provide one additional space if the 2nd unit exceeds four hundred fifty square feet of floor area.

• The entrance to the secondary unit shall not be on the front facade.

Our overall focus is the city of Long Beach and we cannot tell you the number of disappointed single-family property owners we’ve come across in the past.

We’ve seen countless owners who have wanted to add a high-quality second dwelling unit to their property, only to be told that their zone or land use doesn’t allow it. Or that their second unit can only be 10% of the size of their principal dwelling.

Take a look at the common complaints and concerns that we’ve been accustomed to hearing from past clients (largely directly at local government).

And the list goes on and on. But now, things have changed in the State of California...