New 2026 California ADU Laws
December 23, 2025
Stay Up to Date on California's 2026 ADU Laws
California’s 2026 ADU laws continue to expand housing flexibility, making it easier for homeowners and multifamily property owners to add accessory dwelling units with fewer barriers, clearer rules, and more predictable outcomes. These updates support multigenerational living, long-term affordability, and smarter use of existing residential property across California.
New 2026 California ADU Laws
Establish the California Department of Housing and Community Development to as the enforcement authority on ADU rules, clarify some rules and giving HCD a sledgehammer to stop anti-housing rules established by local municipalities!
- SB 9 (2025) - HCD enforcement. Gives HCD additionally enforcement over local ADU ordinances. If municipalities do not submit the ordinances to HCD within 60 days, or don’t respond to HCD comments within 30 days, then the municipality may NOT enforce their local ADU rules and must revert to State standards.
- AB 1208 – Mandatory 10-day inspection guidelines for municipalities. Introduces mandatory fines when HCD or the Attorney General has wanted the agency before. $50,000 fines on the municipality per violation. Repeat violations can lead to mandatory 5x the fine.
- AB 35 – establishes strict timelines and a private plan-check option for small residential projects. If the municipality estimates they cannot review the submitted plans within 30 days, you can hire a private professional provide who is certified as a residential plans examiner. The provider checks the plans and submits a report to the municipality. The municipality has 10 days to act or it is automatically deemed compliant and the permit deemed approved. You can also self-certify, but then you’re liable.
- AB 1154 – removes owner occupancy requirement for JADUs. For homeowners who already have a JADU and have a lien on title, you can work with the County Recorder to remove that from the title. The bill also sets a minimum 30-day rental term for JADUs – no AirBnBing of ADUs!
- SB 543 - ADU/JADU Parity. This bill clarifies and outlaws local anti-ADU rules and gives HCD more enforcement authority, especially over JADUs. Now local municipalities may not charge Impact Fees or School Fees for JADUs. Most important, the bills codifies HCD’s interpretation of State law that allows for 1 detached ADU, 1 interior conversion and 1 JADU at every single-family zoned property, regardless of occupancy. In short, now even rental homes may have up to 4 total units regardless of location.
- AB 1294 - requires HCD to create a standard permit application that every city and county must accept. This will help builders standardize the process, decrease waiting periods and allow HCD to track violations.
- AB 920 – Mandates a centralized portal for submitting housing permits at the municipality. AB 609 – Exempts housing projects located in urban areas from environmental review.
- AB 357 – Exempts student and faculty housing from Coastal Commission review. This is hopefully the beginning of eroding the Coastal Commission’s opposition to housing.
- AB 1061 – Makes it easier to build housing in Historic districts.
- SB 315 - Prohibits municipalities from overcharging on Park Fees.
- AB 782 – Removes double-bonding requirements for developers of residential developments.
- AB 818 – Fast-tracks the rebuilding of housing after a disaster, with stricter timeframes and processes. This should help the rebuilding process after the Los Angeles Fires. (proud to have been a co-writer on this!)
Please email, call, or visit our website for more details:
Email: perpetualhomesadu@gmail.com
Phone: +1 (925) 980-2351
ADU Catalog: build.perpetualhomesadu.com
Dealer’s License #: 1557865
Multigenerational living is becoming a practical solution for many California families. ADUs have emerged as an effective way to create flexible living arrangements.
Whether you are actively planning or simply starting the conversation, this guide is designed to be a resource for homeowners who are curious about ADUs.
Perpetual Homes is helping California families stay connected while building long-term value in their properties.
“Our mission is to rethink how Californians live,” Katherine Anderson of Perpetual Homes said. “An ADU isn’t just extra square footage — it’s a pathway to freedom, flexibility, and a more sustainable future.”
Perpetual Homes is a Premier Member of the Casita Coalition, joining housing professionals and policymakers committed to growing the middle housing ecosystem.
They accuse utility of delaying granny flats by a year or more. PG&E says such complaints are “the exception.” Bay Area residents have a major hurdle...
Want to build an accessory dwelling unit in California? If you need help from Pacific Gas and Electric Co., be prepared to wait, builders and homeowners say.
Want to easily enhance your property value? Consider hiring Perpetual Homes to install an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in your backyard.
With SB 1211, California sets an example for the nation by empowering owners to expand affordable housing options.
In response to the housing challenges faced by Californians due to low inventory, high prices and increasing interest rates, ADUs have emerged as a creative solution.
