In the last chapter, we talked about the California laws that have made accessory dwelling units

much easier to build across the state.

Now that you understand the legal framework behind ADUs, the next step is something very

practical.

You need to evaluate your property.

Because while many properties are now eligible for ADUs under California law, every property

has its own physical characteristics that determine what is actually possible.

In this chapter, we’re going to walk through how to begin evaluating your property so you can

start identifying whether an ADU might work and where it might be located.

If you’re interested in learning what might be possible on your property, you can find additional

ADU planning resources and guides at StrategicADU.com.

In the last chapter, we talked about what an ADU is and the different types of ADUs that can be

built on residential properties.

Now we’re going to talk about something that has dramatically changed the ADU landscape in

California over the past decade.

And that is state housing laws.

These laws are one of the main reasons ADUs have become so popular.

They have made it significantly easier for homeowners to build secondary housing on their

property.

But at the same time, many homeowners feel overwhelmed by the rules and regulations

surrounding ADUs.

So in this chapter, we’re going to simplify things.

We’ll walk through the key ideas behind California’s ADU laws so you can understand what they

mean for your property.

If you’re interested in learning what might be possible on your property, you can find additional

ADU planning resources and guides at StrategicADU.com.

In the previous chapter, we talked about why this guide exists and why so many homeowners are exploring accessory dwelling units as an opportunity for their property.

In this chapter, we’re going to start with the foundation of everything that follows.

We’re going to answer a simple but important question:

What exactly is an ADU?

Because once you understand what an ADU is — and what it can become — it becomes much easier to see the possibilities for your own property.

Visit StrategicADU.com for more info about ADUs