In 2003, California passed a law requiring that all cities and counties approve ADU’s , or accessory dwelling units, which are separate living quarters on a single family lot, equipped with kitchen and bathroom facilities. An ADU can be attached or detached from the main residence. It can be a prefab manufactured home assembled on your property within a few months, environmentally friendly and energy efficient (www.modularlifestyles.com) ,or a more expensive stick-built unit that would allow for the maximum customization. Cost will vary based on the options and materials you select but from somewhere between $80/sq. ft. up to $110/sq. ft. you should be able to accomplish the project.
The really great news is that the tenant of your ADU can be anyone. It does not have to be a relative. However, the key is that one of the two units, main residence or ADU, must be owner occupied.
Yes, this law has been in effect for a dozen years but most of us have been unaware of its existence. What makes this especially noteworthy to baby boomers is that many of our generation are faced with decisions about how to provide assistance to our parents when they reach a point where totally independent living is no longer an option.
If you run the numbers, the monthly cost of financing an ADU with a 15 year loan will be far less than the monthly cost of most other senior living options available. Just as important is the convenience and peace of mind of having your parents where you can personally keep an eye on them, provide care and ongoing family interaction, yet they still have the dignity of having their own place. Where this is an option, it can certainly lessen the emotional turmoil on everyone at this time of transition for our parents.
If you are not a boomer or are a boomer who is not faced with the issue of parent care, this ADU law can give you interesting options…..guest quarters, rental income, or a place for your college student to begin the separation process from mom and dad.
You must check with your city’s building department to see what restrictions you are dealing with. The ADU law does give localities the authority to require that ADU’s comply with development standards such as height, set-back and architectural review.
The really great news is that the tenant of your ADU can be anyone. It does not have to be a relative. However, the key is that one of the two units, main residence or ADU, must be owner occupied.
Yes, this law has been in effect for a dozen years but most of us have been unaware of its existence. What makes this especially noteworthy to baby boomers is that many of our generation are faced with decisions about how to provide assistance to our parents when they reach a point where totally independent living is no longer an option.
If you run the numbers, the monthly cost of financing an ADU with a 15 year loan will be far less than the monthly cost of most other senior living options available. Just as important is the convenience and peace of mind of having your parents where you can personally keep an eye on them, provide care and ongoing family interaction, yet they still have the dignity of having their own place. Where this is an option, it can certainly lessen the emotional turmoil on everyone at this time of transition for our parents.
If you are not a boomer or are a boomer who is not faced with the issue of parent care, this ADU law can give you interesting options…..guest quarters, rental income, or a place for your college student to begin the separation process from mom and dad.
You must check with your city’s building department to see what restrictions you are dealing with. The ADU law does give localities the authority to require that ADU’s comply with development standards such as height, set-back and architectural review.