A Revolution in Progress
ADUs in CA: A Revolution in Progress | October 2020 | Center for Community Innovation Authors: Karen Chapple, Audrey Lieberworth, Dori Ganetsos, Eric Valchuis, Andrew Kwang & Rachel Schten Acknowledgments We are grateful to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the funding that helped support this research. We also thank Jenny Liang, Lauren Hom, Jen Hu, and Isaac Schmidt for their invaluable research assistance. The Center for Community Innovation (CCI) at UC Berkeley nurtures effective solutions that expand economic opportunity, diversify housing options, and strengthen connection to place. Center for Community Innovation c/o Institute of Governmental Studies 109 Moses Hall, #2370 Berkeley, CA 94720-237 Table of Conents Table of Contents Executive Summary . 5 Introduction . 7 Methods . 9 Trends in ADU Implementation . 12 Barriers to ADU Development . 18 Best Practices . 23 Missing Middle . 27 Conclusion & Recommendations. 30 Endnotes . 31 Appendices . 33 ADUs in California: A Revolution in Progress 3 Executive Summary Executive Summary Executive Summary Introduction But Barriers Remain In order to address the California (CA) housing crisis, state leg- • Finances (27%), lack of awareness (16%), and lack of desire islators are pursuing zoning reform to allow more small-scale (16%) remain significant barriers to ADU development. Juris- housing types, particularly in low density neighborhoods. Ac- dictions also report that the State’s top-down approach to cessory dwelling units (ADUs), commonly known as secondary this series of ADU legislation presents challenges for local units, backyard cottages, and in-law units, are one such housing ADU construction. type. Over the past few years, state legislators reduced parking requirements, lot size minimums and setback requirements, and • Although lower income and lower resource communities in development fees to incentivize construction of ADUs.
[Show full text]