Never has there been a better time to plan an ADU in your backyard in California. There has been great progress in legislation and through the advocacy efforts of the Tiny Home Industry Association.

What Is An ADU?

ADU stands for accessory dwelling units. They are known by many other names including, carriage houses, bungalow, granny flat, MIL, a secondary suite, lane house, and more.

New 2020 California  ADU Laws

The Legislature further updated ADU and JADU law effective January 1, 2020, to clarify and improve various provisions in order to promote the development of ADUs and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs). These include allowing ADUs and JADUs to be built concurrently with a single-family dwelling, opening areas where ADUs can be created to include all zoning districts that allow single-family and multifamily uses, modifying fees from utilities such as special districts and water corporations, limited exemptions or reductions in impact fees, and reduced parking requirements.

Please see the Accessory Dwelling Unit Technical Assistance memo (PDF) for more information.

Movable Tiny Homes

Movable tiny homes can be placed in backyards in Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, and Santa Clara. Humboldt County and California City are moving to allow them. The added benefit of a movable tiny home is that they are built to be mobile and have the added benefit of moving quickly if there is a warning of a natural disaster.

Janet Thome  Founder And President Tiny House Alliance USA

Tiny House Consultant Tiny Portable Cedar Cabins

Contact Me at 509 345 2013

Cell 509 770 1694

janet@tinyportablecedarcabins