Sponsored Legislation

AB 956

Status: On the Governor's Desk

Double Detached ADUs

AB 956 will allow homeowners to build up to two detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their properties, and prohibits homeowners associations (HOAs) from blocking ADUs that comply with state law.

Currently, a single-family homeowner is limited to building one detached ADU (an ADU with no contiguous walls to the primary home). These rules apply even on large residential lots that could easily accommodate more than one ADU.

The restriction is inconsistent with other ADU policies, which allow homeowners to have two ADUs if one of the units is “attached,” or built in the garage, basement, or another part of the existing home. 

Additionally, the state law that overrides HOA restrictions to allow homeowners to build ADUs specifically refers to “lots zoned for single family use” – preventing people whose single-family homes are on land zoned for multi-family housing from building ADUs.

AB 956 removes these restrictions. It allows homeowners to construct up to two detached ADUs on their property when the space is available, and clarifies state law ensuring HOAs can’t block otherwise legal ADUs.

Updates

Authors

• Sharon Quirk-Silva (D, AD 65)

Sponsor

• California YIMBY

Resources