ADU - 2 units possible?

Question

Hi there guys, its my first time here! Love this forum and knowledge/advice here.

Question: Can you construct  and rent out 2 separate units (studio with 1 bath) to 2 separate tenants in a single detached ADU?

Background: There is a property in which I'm interested in purchasing. It has a detached ADU (with a legal permit) but only half of the ADU was constructed with the remaining half devoted to parking for the garage. The realtor and buyer both said it's because the exiting landlord didn't want to spend a lot of money on the property.

Michael T. · Answer

@Sam Casper you'll have to go the city of Los Angeles to confirm.  There are certain rules that apply in Los Angeles.

Below is a guidebook that will help you through the process.

https://citylab.ucla.edu/adu-guidebook

Anakaren Muro · Answer

Hi Sam, with the new ADU laws, you are allowed to have (2) ADU's in your lot & you can rent BOTH of them out... You can call the Garage Conversion a "Junior ADU""Require the accessory dwelling units to comply with all of the following:(i) The unit may be rented separate from the primary residence, but may not be sold or otherwise conveyed separate from the primary residence.(ii) The lot is zoned to allow single-family or multifamily use and includes a proposed or existing single-family dwelling.(iii) The accessory dwelling unit is either attached to, or located within, the proposed or existing primary dwelling, including attached garages, storage areas, or similar uses, or an accessory structure or detached from the proposed or existing primary dwelling and located on the same lot as the proposed or existing primary dwelling."

"(B) One detached, new construction, accessory dwelling unit that does not exceed four-foot side and rear yard setbacks for a lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling. The accessory dwelling unit may be combined with a junior accessory dwelling unit described in subparagraph (A)."

Jason White · Answer

@Pat Saperstein

I’m a general contractor in the LA/OC area, in the past I’ve mostly specialized in fire restoration, but I’m in the process of opening up a new branch that specializes in ADUs exclusively. Let me know if you need any help going forward, I have design and drafting contacts that have been doing ADUs for the last couple of years, they do the plans and get the permits approved through the city. And of course I can build anything you want. I’d be happy to bid any project you have. Let me me know.

Pat Saperstein · Answer

Yes, California has just approved having more than one ADU on a lot, or in my case, having an ADU even if you already have a duplex. It takes effect Jan. 1 for the whole state. Here is some more info. Does anyone in Los Angeles have an ADU contractor to recommend? https://carlaef.org/2019/09/13/making-sense-of-this-years-adu-legislation/

Brian Poppleton · Answer

This article makes it seem like a property in CA can have single family home, ADU, and JR ADU.  Does anyone know anything about it?  https://cayimby.org/historic-adu-legislation/

Adam Mayberry · Answer

@Sam Casper I dont think you can do this in most jurisdictions, however I think you can do multiple, within soft stories in San Francisco

What city are you looking at building an ADU?

Jo-Ann Lapin · Answer

I would call a city/ county planner and look up the code for this. Most cases it will be on line .

Karen Margrave · Answer

@Sam Casper State and local regulations dictate the size of ADUs.in CA they are limited to one ADU of1200 sq. ft. However, what you describe would probably require a multi family zoning of some type, as it would technically become a duplex.

Adam Apalategui · Answer

Sam,

It all comes down to local regulations, zoning...I would be at the City/County planning office first thing and see what's allowed, what the process is...where I live (Bend, Oregon) ADU's are very regulated, but other areas just outside of town are totally different...

Good luck...Adam