FOR PROFESSIONALS
Guidebooks & Resources
AB 1033 Guidance Memo
Casita Coalition and the law firm of Reuben, Junius & Rose prepared a model ordinance and guidance memo to assist cities and counties who want to implement AB 1033, the new allowance in state law for separate sale of ADUs and primary homes as condominiums, effective Jan.1st 2024. Please share this memo widely to assist and encourage local agencies in establishing procedures and policies to restore the homeownership option to many of our community members who have been priced out of the market for far too long.
NEW! ADU Equity Strategies Resource
In recent years, against the backdrop of a housing affordability crisis and significant changes to state laws, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have become more popular and easier to build in California. In the context of dire affordable housing supply needs, no single approach is a silver bullet. Still, ADUs and other small housing types increasingly feature prominently in discussions about equity-driven housing solutions.
Local governments, nonprofits, and mission-driven entrepreneurs across the state and country have been hard at work developing and testing new ways to use ADUs to drive more equitable housing outcomes. The purpose of this report is to summarize promising practices elevated by practitioners and experts working to advance equitable outcomes in the ADU and small housing space.
Pre-Reviewed Plan Programs Guidebook
Many cities are turning to pre-reviewed ADU plans programs to help reduce costs and shorten timelines for homeowners embarking on this complex project. A well-designed program has the potential to raise community awareness of what’s possible for homeowners, reduce staff time for jurisdictions, improve the process for repeatability of plans used before, shorten the design phase and lower associated costs, and assist local builders/designers in connecting with interested homeowners.
Casita Coalition created these guidelines to share best practices for program design with jurisdictions, provide a resource for ADU professionals considering whether to submit their plans, and to help homeowners decide if a pre-reviewed ADU plan set is right for them.
Legalizing Unpermitted ADUs
Recognizing the vital role that this form of housing plays in our communities, some cities and counties are working to reduce costs and streamline the process of legalization.
Casita Coalition created these guidelines to help homeowners and ADU professionals.
SB 9 Guidance Memo for Professionals
Our SB 9 guidebook has been revamped with new, detailed information for professionals.
Multifamily ADU Guidebook
Can you add an ADU to a multi-unit building? Absolutely - and this is the guidance memo that will tell you how to do it.
ADU Best Practices Guide
Our best practices guide is the result of an entire year of conversations with local governments, nonprofits, and other middle housing professionals who are working to add ADUs to their communities. This is the ultimate point of reference for ADU adoption on the local level.
ADU Finance Guidebook
Prepared by Casita Coalition’s Finance working group, this guide is intended to help California homeowners understand the many options for financing the construction or legalization of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). It describes eleven different financing strategies that are specifically intended for ADUs.
Garage Conversion Guidebook
Casita Coalition’s Local Government working group has prepared guidance on Garage Conversions including a summary of relevant state laws and a list of FAQs.
Our members are a wealth of resources.
Casita Coalition’s members work in coalition to create all guidance memos, both for homeowners and professionals. Access to peer expertise is one of the biggest benefits of membership. Whether you choose to connect at a member networking event or attend a monthly member Zoom meeting, there are lots of ways to learn from fellow middle housing professionals.
Other Helpful Guidebooks and Publications
Community Guidance
ADU California: Best Practices checklists and guides for multiple jurisdictions all over California
UCLA CityLab’s ADU Guidebook for Los Angeles
The Bay’s Future & CZI’s Bay Area Housing Readiness Report
SCAG: Southern California Regional ADU Affordability Analysis and guidance on ADU planning and development
City of Santa Cruz: ADU Manual
Second Unit Resource Center of San Mateo County: Workbook
Napa Sonoma ADU: Workbook and Housing Elements Recommendations
California Guidance
AB 1033 ADU Condo Guidance Memo and Model Local Ordinance—Casita Coalition
Terner City Reports: Reaching California’s ADU Potential, Jumpstarting ADUs, and Breaking Down Barriers to Racial and Economic Equity in Accessory Dwelling Unit Construction
Terner Center’s ADU Construction Financing Webinar
U.C. Berkeley Center for Community Innovation
Decoding ADUs: Get clarity about Title 24 - and exactly what it means - with this helpful chart.
Backyard Revolution PowerPoint presentation on ADU development
Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board
National Guidance
AARP Livable Communities: Learn about the ABCs of ADUs, and explore the landscape of small housing with these resources from our partners at AARP.
The Housing Innovation Collaborative: Explore housing innovations and resources from Los Angeles to the world
AccessoryDwellings.org: Information about ADUs and ADU ordinances all over the United States.
American Institute of Architects ADU Resource Center
National Shared Housing Resource Center, a network of independent nonprofit homesharing programs across the US
AARP’s Middle Housing Guidebook helps communities, designers and residents understand how ADUs, duplexes, cottage courts and other light density housing types can help with our housing crisis
Next City Webinar Library shares solutions on housing and equity from around the country
AARP Developer Guidance for LGBTQ+-Affirming Housing for Older People