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Guidebooks & Resources

 

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SB 684 Guidance Memo

Casita Coalition and Reuben, Junius, and Rose, LLP have developed this guidance to assist your Local Agency in implementing SB 684, increasing the supply of smaller, lower-cost homes for sale and extending the potential for homeownership to more California families.

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. Update! Now includes sample application materials and ordinance from the City of San Jose—first to opt in.

 

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.

Preapproved ADU Plans Programs Guidebook

Jurisdictions as of January 1, 2025 are required by state law to develop programs for preapproved ADU plans 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. Updated edition reflects changes in state law for repeated and preapproved ADU plans.

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. UPDATE coming soon to reflect AB 2533 changes to unpermitted ADU amnesty effective January 1, 2025.

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. UPDATE coming soon to reflect SB 1211 changes to multifamily ADU law.

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.

Learn about membership

 

 Other Helpful Guidebooks and Publications

Community Guidance

California Guidance

National Guidance