What is an ADU?

An ADU or Accessory Dwelling Unit, also known as second unit, granny flat, in-law unit, and so on, is a secondary housing unit on a residential lot. With a wide variety of different styles, ADUs have a number of things in common. ADUs are an innovative, affordable, effective housing crisis solutions in California.

What ADUs Have in Common?

Regardless of what they look like or how they’re situated on the property,

most ADUs have a few things in common

They’re secondary to the main

house

ADUs are much smaller than the average single-family house (in most cases)

ADUs are usually built or converted after the primary house was built

ADUs are usually built or converted after the primary house was built

Municipal ADU regulations adopt California state laws to some great extent,

but still have ordinances of their own, differentiating ADU regulatio

ns from city to city

Functionally, a

Standard ADU generally includes living, sleeping, kitchen and bathroom facilities, and a separate and lockable entrance door. However, a JADU (which stands for Junior ADU) is not required to have a dedicated bathroom.