Want to build an accessory dwelling unit? New Sacramento city website makes it easier
Sacramento (Sept. 27, 2022) The City of Sacramento has launched a new website to make it easier for property owners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), also known as granny flats or in-law units.
The new “ADU Resource Center” provides property owners with information and step-by-step guides to aid the ADU permitting and construction process.
“This is just one example of where the City of Sacramento is innovating and leading when it comes to housing,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “We saw a 123% increase in the construction of ADUs in 2021 and now with this site and the additional improvements to the process I hope to see that number grow even more.”
The ADU Resource Center provides a one-stop-shop to understanding the process, action items, permits, costs, financing options and more of building an ADU.
“The City has greatly streamlined the production of ADUs to encourage more affordable housing opportunities,” said the City’s Planning Director Greg Sandlund. “Launching this website is the next step in providing the technical assistance with the ADU building process and increasing housing options.”
The ADU Resource Center also features:
A free site planning tool (Symbium.com) that allows property owners to easily determine if an ADU is allowed on their property, where one could be placed and how big it can be.
Case study videos with interviews from Sacramentans who have taken advantage of the perks of having an ADU on their property.
Free permit-ready ADU plans will be available in Dec.2022 that will comply with the new 2022 Building Code. The plans are designed to be easy-to-construct for the do-it-yourself homeowner and will help save homeowners time and costs, according to staff.
The ADU Resource Center is part of the City’s 8-year housing strategy to produce over 45,000 housing units of all types by 2029.
This new website was funded with grant monies from the State Department of Housing and Community Development.
The City has already taken significant steps to encourage housing construction, including waiving fees for affordable housing construction, speeding approvals for building accessory dwelling units, and establishing incentives for construction of housing near transit corridors.
Sacramento in Feb. became the first city in California to earn the state’s “Prohousing Designation” for housing-friendly policies.
