State and local regulations are making it even easier for homeowners to build ADUs now. The four most recent legislative bills taking effect January 1, 2020:

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•    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. 
•    Reducing parking requirements.

•    Homeowner occupancy not required through 2025.  4’ side and rear yard setbacks.

•    Minimum detached size allowed is 1,000 sq ft.  Junior ADU + detached ADU allowed.

•    Impact fees eliminated on 749 sq ft or less.  Reduced on larger sizes.

•    Homeowner Associations must allow ADUs

•    60 day approval of ADU applications for cities and counties

•    Two detached ADUs allowed in multi-family zoned properties

•    Water district and sanitation district capacity fees eliminated

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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.