Home additions such as ADUs and JADUs are innovative, affordable, and effective options for adding much-needed housing in California. California’s recent changes to the laws regulating zoning and housing have made it easier to add an ADU or a JADU, or one of each, to your property.
What is an ADU?
An ADU – Accessory Dwelling Unit – is a self-contained secondary housing unit that is located on the building lot of a larger, primary, single-family home. ADUs are also known as granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, and secondary units.
An ADU can add value to your property and can serve as a private residence for a family member or as an income-producing rental unit.
What is a JADU?
A JADU – Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit – is a home addition unit of no more than 500 square feet that is created within the walls of a proposed or existing single-family residence. JADUs often contain a basic kitchen utilizing small plug-in appliances and share a bathroom and HVAC systems with the primary dwelling. JADUs repurpose existing space within the residence. They do not expand the dwelling’s planned occupancy and therefore present no additional stress on utility services or infrastructure.
California ADU Handbook
For more information about changes to the California State ADU Law – including the impacts of SB 9 on ADUs that became effective January 1, 2022 – please see the updated ADU Handbook: Accessory Dwelling Unit Handbook (PDF).
California ADU Grant Program
The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) offers grants of up to $40,000 to reimburse pre-development and non-recurring closing costs of constructing an ADU.
Homeowners with low or moderate income – which is $300,000 in the counties of Santa Clara and San Mateo – can apply for a grant. Please see an income limit chart here: CalHFA Income Limits
CalHFA is not a direct lender. Its mortgage products are offered through private loan officers who have been approved and trained by the Agency. These loan officers can help you find out more about CalHFA’s programs and guide you through the ADU loan and grant processes, You can find more information about the grant application process here: https://www.calhfa.ca.gov/adu/homeowner/adu-steps.pdf
Additional Information
If you are considering building a home addition such as an ADU or a JADU, look for an experienced, licensed building contractor and consider reading the article entitled “5 Things to Know Before Adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit to Your Property,” by Bob Vila, host of the television program, This Old House.
Contact Us
At Bay Area Design & Construction we have extensive experience in building ADU and JADU home additions and would be pleased to talk with you about your proposed project. You can contact us here.
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