ADU – What’s New for 2024*

New Law – AB 1033

California has historically allowed local agencies to prohibit the separate sale of ADUs from the primary dwelling for owners, investors, and developers. Assembly Bill 1033 will allow homeowners to sell one or more ADUs separately from their primary residence. The law authorizes (but does not require) local agencies to adopt local ordinances allowing ADUs to be sold as condominiums separately from the primary dwelling with approval from the California Department of Real Estate. Homeowners may consider creating a Homeowners Association (HOA) between the primary residence and the ADU to manage the common property.

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ADU – What’s new for 2023*

Changes to the 60-Day Rule

Assembly Bill 2221 requires all agencies involved with reviewing California ADU plans, including planning departments and utility companies, to respond within 60 days of submission of plans. This change reduces the time for application review and processing.

Revised ADU Height Restrictions

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ADU – What’s new for 2022*

Senate Bill 9. This relates to duplexes and lot splits. SB 9 provides for the ministerial approval of converting existing homes occupied by a homeowner into a duplex if certain eligibility restrictions are satisfied. It also allows a single-family home lot to be split into two lots, and a duplex to be built on each lot, provided that the initial home is occupied by the owner as their primary residence for at least three years.

Some key points of SB 9: Continue Reading →

ADU – What’s new for 2020*

PER ORDINANCE NO. 186481 – An ordinance amending Sections 12.03, 12.22 and 12.33, and repealing portions of Section 12.24, of Chapter 1 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code 

  • Allow one JADU (Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit) in addition to one ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) per residential lot. A JADU is a unit that is no more than 500 square feet in size and contained entirely within a single-family residence. It may include separate sanitation facilities, Continue Reading →

ADU – Basic Information

What is it?

  • A separate residence unit located on the same lot as a single family home.
  • Includes the usual elements of a residence, such as a kitchen and a bath, but smaller.
  • Can replace an existing garage in lieu of building a new structure.
  • A cost effective way to generate passive income and/or to enlarge an existing home.

Advantages: Continue Reading →

We Know ADU!

Our Simplified Menu*

$5000 – ADU Conversion of an existing garage – Under 500 S.F.

$6500 – ADU Conversion of an existing garage – Over 500 S.F.

$8000 – ADU Conversion of an existing garage – Over 800 S.F.

$8500 – New ADU – Under 500 S.F. (Over 500 S.F. request a quote)

$9500 – ADU Conversion of a garage plus addition – Under 800 S.F.

Our Services Include:

ADUs and Aesthetics

To learn more about our services, contact us at ortnerdesign@gmail.com

When it comes to aesthetics, ADUs don’t get the same love as main houses.

Most times, the lack of pleasing aesthetics is solely budgetary. An ADU conversion costs anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 or more and many homeowners need the rental income produced by the ADU and can’t afford to spend any money on “extras.”

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The Cost of ADUs

Clients often wonder about the dramatic range of costs for an ADU. There are several reasons to consider:

1. ADUs can be created in multiple ways, such as converting an attached or detached garage into an ADU, creating an ADU by adding on to an existing home or garage, building a detached ADU on the lot of an existing home, or building a detached ADU over a new or existing garage. Construction prices will vary depending on the type of ADU construction.

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ADU and Taxes

We specialize in the design and permitting of ADU’s and home additions/remodeling. To learn more about our services, contact us at ortnerdesign@gmail.com

Many of our clients who want to convert an existing garage or build a new ADU are fearful that their property taxes will go up significantly. Although we are not experts on the subject (and you should always consult your own tax advisor), below is some information to consider.

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Building an ADU

Successfully Negotiating the Contract with your General Contractor

Virtually all construction contracts between a homeowner and a general contractor (GC) provide for payments based on time and performance of the work described in the contract. Most contracts list specific tasks that must be completed for payment to be released (i.e. foundation, framing, rough utilities, stucco, etc.) but they seldom spell out each individual component and who is responsible for providing them. Continue Reading →