Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details on the exact fee amounts or changes in actual fee calculations by local agencies.

Rules for Small Houses in Backyards

The bill sets rules about how much money local governments can charge when people build small houses called accessory dwelling units (ADUs) larger than 750 square feet.

What This Bill Does

• Sets a rule that fees for building an ADU larger than 750 square feet must only be based on the extra space over 750 square feet.
• Makes sure this new rule applies to all cities in California, including those with special charters.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who want to build small houses (ADUs) larger than 750 square feet on their property.
• Local government agencies that set building and zoning rules.

Terms To Know

Accessory dwelling unit (ADU)

A smaller house or apartment built on the same lot as a main house, like in a backyard.

Impact fee

Money charged by local governments to cover costs related to new buildings or developments.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how much the fees will be for ADUs larger than 750 square feet.
• It is unclear what specific changes this bill will bring in terms of actual fee amounts charged by local agencies.

Official Summary Text

SB 1117, as introduced, Cervantes.
Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units.
Existing law, the Planning and Zoning Law, among other things, provides for the creation by ordinance, or by ministerial approval if the local agency has not adopted an ordinance, of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in accordance with specified standards and conditions. Existing law requires fees charged for the construction of ADUs to be determined in accordance with specified provisions of the Mitigation Fee Act. Existing law prohibits a local agency, special district, or water corporation from imposing any impact fee upon the development of an ADU that has 750 square feet of interior livable space or less, and requires any impact fees charged for an ADU that has more than 750 square feet of interior livable space to be charged proportionately in relation to the square footage of the primary dwelling unit.
This bill would additionally require
the charge to be based only on the area in excess of 750 square feet of interior livable space. By changing the duties of local agencies with regard to calculating fees for ADUs, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF