All Forum Posts by: Ben Chow

Interested 

I am so sorry, for some reason I thought it was at 6 pm.  I am here now :( 

Will wait for our next meeting. 

Ben 

Thank you!

I got a response regarding JADU

Our ordinance includes this limitation on where a JADU may be located. Carports are not within the walls of the residence, and neither are detached garages. For these reasons, if you want to convert a portion of your home into a JADU, it has to be within the house. You mention constructing a new second story to accommodate the JADU – only 150 square feet of new construction is allowed to facilitate ingress and egress for JADU conversions. JADU’s are meant to be a conversion of part of the main house, and not meant to be new construction. In order to do this, you would need to apply to build the 2nd story first, connected to the main home, then once the permit is finaled, you would apply to convert up to 500 square feet of that space into a JADU with a separate entrance.

Hope this helps.

You would need to submit plans for the second story, go through plan check, get a permit, build, have that permit finaled, then come back to us with the plans to convert.

One thing I want to make clear is that the new addition must be interior connected to the house, but in order to qualify as a JADU when converted, will need an additional entry. You could provide both with the addition, then seal off the interior connection and only use the additional entry when converted.

Two ways of looking at this. A year ago no JADU was existing now an addition can have full kitchen and can be rented out with it's own separate entrance ( so you can live in the JADU technically and rent main house and ADU!
Yes having a detached garage not able to use is crazy but I won’t let it slide planning to complain to CA Housing department. 

Does Anyone know how to contact CA housing department regarding this? 

Also who is the stage senator who passed the JADU law? 

Also owner occupancy Waiver I thought is for 5 years? Or is it till 2024 Dec31? 

Thanks guys!! 

I am in the same boat, I have a 420 sqft detached garage. So I had to build an ADU 1200 sqft over my garage, I have certificate of occupancy. Now I am told by city that you cannot convert the detached garage into a JADU but.... if you have a attached garage then you can build 1200sqft ADU + convert your existing garage as JADU. Wait... so I am penalized because I have a detached garage?

the only way I can get a JADU is by applying for a new building extension get it permitted and then apply to convert it back to JADU. 

How can we get something in writing from California Housing department what can be done and what cannot be done? Which State representative do we need to contact? 

I got a response regarding JADU 

Our ordinance includes this limitation on where a JADU may be located. Carports are not within the walls of the residence, and neither are detached garages. For these reasons, if you want to convert a portion of your home into a JADU, it has to be within the house. You mention constructing a new second story to accommodate the JADU – only 150 square feet of new construction is allowed to facilitate ingress and egress for JADU conversions. JADU’s are meant to be a conversion of part of the main house, and not meant to be new construction. In order to do this, you would need to apply to build the 2nd story first, connected to the main home, then once the permit is finaled, you would apply to convert up to 500 square feet of that space into a JADU with a separate entrance.

Hope this helps.

You would need to submit plans for the second story, go through plan check, get a permit, build, have that permit finaled, then come back to us with the plans to convert.

One thing I want to make clear is that the new addition must be interior connected to the house, but in order to qualify as a JADU when converted, will need an additional entry. You could provide both with the addition, then seal off the interior connection and only use the additional entry when converted.

Thank you, I went to the city. The answer I got was...We Dont know. Huge confusion all over. They asked me to send me an email and they will get back to me.

This is the email I just sent..I will let you know once I get a response.

Per your request I am sending you my questions via email.

1. Garage to JADU I currently have a 1200 sqft ADU on top of my "detached" garage. Can I convert my detached Garage with is connected to the ADU as a JADU? Can I convert my car port which is connected to my main dwelling as a JADU? Or Can I build a JADU on top (second floor) of my main dwelling? Per AB-68: "(A) One accessory dwelling unit and one junior accessory dwelling unit per lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling
2. R1 with ADU Owner occupancy : Owner occupancy has been removed till 2025 but what happens in 2026 ? Will it be grandfathered in? This is important because based on this information I know if I should invest here or for the same price get a R2 lot in Gardena etc.,
3. On a R3 lot with 2 units currently with a lot size of 3750 sq ft, Can I build 2 additional ADU's or 2 units and make a fourplex ? What about R2 lot?

Thank you, I went to the city. The answer I got was...We Dont know. Huge confusion all over. They asked me to send me an email and they will get back to me.

This is the email I just sent..I will let you know once I get a response.

Per your request I am sending you my questions via email.

1. Garage to JADU I currently have a 1200 sqft ADU on top of my "detached" garage. Can I convert my detached Garage with is connected to the ADU as a JADU? Can I convert my car port which is connected to my main dwelling as a JADU? Or Can I build a JADU on top (second floor) of my main dwelling? Per AB-68: "(A) One accessory dwelling unit and one junior accessory dwelling unit per lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling
2. R1 with ADU Owner occupancy : Owner occupancy has been removed till 2025 but what happens in 2026 ? Will it be grandfathered in? This is important because based on this information I know if I should invest here or for the same price get a R2 lot in Gardena etc.,
3. On a R3 lot with 2 units currently with a lot size of 3750 sq ft, Can I build 2 additional ADU's or 2 units and make a fourplex ? What about R2 lot?

My partner just got a R3 lot with 2 units on it. One is legal but the garage was converted illegally. What are my options to make it legal? Any help from the 2020 laws?