ADU's/ Container Home in Oakland CA

[Nayeli A.]

Hi everyone! Does anyone know how to go about in regards to having an HBX-2 zone tiny plot about 800 sqft, due to its limited square footage I was thinking of adding an ADU or tiny container home and renting it out. I had read in Oakland's HBX zone regulations manual for a dwelling unit there is a minimum 930 sf of lot area per unit however what happens when the lot is less than that? Would there be any complications getting permit approval from the city? Any referrals to contractors/ developers would be appreciated in advance thank you!

[Laura Blair]

It sounds like this is a nonconforming lot.  When was it created?  Here is the relevant code sections to look up and the exceptions to developing nonconforming lots:

17.65.060 Minimum lot area width and frontage.
The following table contains the minimum lot area, width, and frontage requirements for
the zones in this chapter.
Standard Zone
HBX-1 HBX-2 HBX-3
Minimum lot area 4,000 sf 4,000 sf 4,000 sf
Minimum lot width 35 ft 35 ft 35 ft
Minimum lot frontage 35 ft 35 ft 35 ft
Note:
See Sections 17.106.010 and 17.106.020 for exceptions to lot
area, width and street frontage regulations. Lots that do not meet
the standards described above may be developed if they meet the
requirements described in Subsection 17.106.010A and all other
applicable requirements

In Oakland, you would submit and schedule a pre-application appointment to get feedback from a planner. Let me know if you would like more help.