Backyard cottages, known as accessory dwelling units, are touted as one solution to the rising cost of housing.
Writing for KCRA, Maricela De La Cruz reports that “In Sacramento County, ADU permits nearly tripled from 2021 to 2022, and last year alone, 237 units were completed in the region, according to data from the California Department of Housing and Community Development.”
A spokesperson for the county said “they don't know why there's been a sharp increase in ADU permits, but suspect it could be due to high rent and the need for more affordable housing.”
At the state level, two proposed bills could further boost ADU construction in California. “Assembly Bill 1033 would allow cities to decide whether property owners can sell ADUs separately, and Assembly Bill 976 would permanently ban local ordinances that require property owners to live in their ADUs and allow them to rent out the properties.”
FULL STORY: Sacramento County sees sharp increase in Accessory Dwelling Unit permits amid CA housing crisis
Reno Revisits Zoning Reform
After roundly rejecting a proposal to legalize granny flats in 2018, the city council is revising it and other zoning reform proposals that could increase the city’s affordable housing supply.
ADU Demand Grows Across the West Coast
In communities from California to Washington, permit applications for accessory dwelling units outpace the ability of permitting and construction to keep pace.
Berkeley Launches ADU Amnesty Program
Owners of unpermitted accessory dwelling units can bring their units up to code and obtain certificates of compliance without facing penalties.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
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Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
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