California finds itself in the midst of a tremendously challenging housing shortage. As of January 1, 2018, laws championed by former Governor Brown and others allowed for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by right.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are known by many names: granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, secondary units and more. No matter what you call them, ADUs are an innovative, affordable, effective option for adding much-needed housing in California.

Some of the benefits include:

• ADUs are an affordable type of home to construct in California because they do not require paying for land, major new infrastructure, structured parking, or elevators.
• ADUs can provide a source of income for homeowners.
• ADUs are built with cost-effective wood frame construction, which is significantly less costly than homes in new multifamily infill buildings.
• ADUs allow extended families to be near one another while maintaining privacy.
• ADUs can provide as much living space as many newly-built apartments and condominiums, and they’re suited well for couples, small families, friends, young people, and seniors.
• ADUs give homeowners the flexibility to share independent living areas with family members and others, allowing seniors to age in place as they require more care.

Our Pepper Drive project is being built in Los Altos, in California’s Silicon Valley, where rents and home prices are the highest in the country. The project includes a new stand alone ADU of approximately 1100 s.f., as well as a new garage to be added to the existing primary residence.