Granny Flats also known as Mother-In-Law-Suites
Granny Flats If you don't know what we're talking about here, it's a term used to refer to a guest unit on the same property as your house to accommodate a family member. It provides a perfect balance of privacy, while keeping "granny" close enough to be involved in the family's life. It goes by many names: Mother-in -Law-Suite, Accessory Apartment, Guest House, Accessory dwelling unit, pool house, or in Hawaii--Ohana Dwelling Unit. Whatever you call it, it's an economical solution to a wide range of needs. How else can you get much of the cost of caring for a family member back in the form of increased equity?
DANGER! Don't just get out the hammer and nails! Depending on the jurisdiction you live in there are certain regulations that limit its size, location on property, and required parking that must be upgraded. While the rewards may be great, you're going to want to do your homework before you head off to the hardware store. Many municipalities would love nothing more than to make you tear the whole thing down and start over, and all it takes is a call from a neighbor to turn your wonderful project into an expensive nightmare. WHAT CAN GRANNY-FLATS DO FOR ME? Design, permit, and custom build a beautiful, functional home addition.
Save you money
HOW MUCH WILL ALL THIS COST? Check out the "styles" page. This is only a small sample of the wide range of designs we can offer. There is, literally, no limit to what you can do, and we're committed to keeping you on whatever budget you decide to establish. Give us a call, or email us through the "contact" pull-down. We can then begin to answer your questions more specifically. Here is a quick excerpt from California's bill: |
The California Legislature enacted Bill AB 1866 which took effect July 1, 2003. It includes bonus density and second units. It was intended to encourage Cities to ease regulations so more property owners could have family members stay with them.
Bill AB 1866 (Wright)
Provides that: Local governments may not apply development standards (parking, setbacks, local coverage are some of the most common barriers) to low and moderate income and senior housing that make it impossible to build housing at the established density.
If a local government determines that a density bonus is not needed to make a development affordable, this finding must be based on written and objective analysis. (Attorney fees will be awarded if the locality violates the law.)
The granting of permits for second units on a residential zoned parcel is ministerial, not discretionary, which obviates the need for time-consuming, costly hearings on proposals that are in compliance with local zoning and development standards.Developers of moderate income common interest developments (condos) may obtain a density bonus.
Every City in California has different ways they handle this. The City of San Diego in December 2011 just eased the regulations and made it a lot easier to do. Most Cities including San Diego require you to record an addendum to your deed that restricts the use and sale of said unit. Some Cities require an agreement only a family member will live there and it will never be rented out to a non-family member.
There are also different categories that require new rules that would not be required otherwise. Adding a kitchen is one of the biggest changes in categories. A kitchen turns the guest unit into a second dwelling unit in most cities and counties. It usually requires off-street parking to be added and in some cases a special public hearing at your local Town Hall.
There are ways to add this unit to your house that require it to be called a Guest Unit or Accessory unit(every jurisdiction seems to call it by a different name) and other ways to add it that would basically term it only a room addition. A bedroom and bath can be added to the rear, side or even on top of the garage and have a separate exterior entrance and as long as it meets your current zoning regulations for additions and has a doorway leading directly into the house, it is just a room addition and it is usually easier to permit. Here is a link to other Cities regulations
Bill AB 1866 (Wright)
Provides that: Local governments may not apply development standards (parking, setbacks, local coverage are some of the most common barriers) to low and moderate income and senior housing that make it impossible to build housing at the established density.
If a local government determines that a density bonus is not needed to make a development affordable, this finding must be based on written and objective analysis. (Attorney fees will be awarded if the locality violates the law.)
The granting of permits for second units on a residential zoned parcel is ministerial, not discretionary, which obviates the need for time-consuming, costly hearings on proposals that are in compliance with local zoning and development standards.Developers of moderate income common interest developments (condos) may obtain a density bonus.
Every City in California has different ways they handle this. The City of San Diego in December 2011 just eased the regulations and made it a lot easier to do. Most Cities including San Diego require you to record an addendum to your deed that restricts the use and sale of said unit. Some Cities require an agreement only a family member will live there and it will never be rented out to a non-family member.
There are also different categories that require new rules that would not be required otherwise. Adding a kitchen is one of the biggest changes in categories. A kitchen turns the guest unit into a second dwelling unit in most cities and counties. It usually requires off-street parking to be added and in some cases a special public hearing at your local Town Hall.
There are ways to add this unit to your house that require it to be called a Guest Unit or Accessory unit(every jurisdiction seems to call it by a different name) and other ways to add it that would basically term it only a room addition. A bedroom and bath can be added to the rear, side or even on top of the garage and have a separate exterior entrance and as long as it meets your current zoning regulations for additions and has a doorway leading directly into the house, it is just a room addition and it is usually easier to permit. Here is a link to other Cities regulations