SB9 (Senate Bill 9), also known as the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME) Act, became law on January 1, 2022. It was created to help address California’s housing shortage by making it easier for homeowners to add housing units on single-family lots.

What SB9 Does:

1. Lot Splits (Urban Lot Split Provision)

   • Allows eligible single-family property owners to split their lot into two parcels (as small as 1,200 sq. ft. each).

   • Each lot can then have its own housing units built on it.

2. Two Homes per Lot

   • Each new parcel can have up to two residential units.

   • Combined with a lot split, that means up to 4 homes (2 main house + 2 ADUs) can replace a single-family house.

Wondering if your lot could take advantage of SB9? Let’s talk! Schedule a free one-on-one consultation with our team and explore the possibilities for your property.

In California, an ADU can be up to 1,200 square feet, though some cities have their own local rules that adjust the maximum size. Certain cities adopt more generous regulations to encourage additional housing, while others enforce setbacks, height limits, or lot coverage rules that can reduce the buildable size. Statewide, ADUs under 750 square feet are exempt from impact fees, which is why many homeowners choose to cap their ADU at that size when budgeting is a concern.

Yes, in California you can absolutely rent out your ADU, and many homeowners do. One of the biggest benefits of building an ADU is the opportunity to generate rental income or provide affordable housing for family. State law allows ADUs to be rented long-term, typically on monthly leases or longer. Short-term rentals, such as Airbnb or VRBO, are generally not allowed unless your city specifically permits them. Most cities require leases of 30 days or more to encourage housing stability.

Every ADU we build comes equipped with solar, fully integrated into both the design and construction. This ensures your ADU meets California’s Title 24, Part 6 Energy Code, which requires new residential construction to include solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Solar not only helps reduce energy costs, but it also increases your home’s sustainability and long-term value. By including solar in every build, we make it simple for homeowners to enjoy clean, renewable energy without extra effort. If you’d like to learn more about how solar works with your ADU and Title 24 compliance, schedule a free one-on-one consultation with us.

Whether you can build an ADU depends on your property type and local rules. For single-family properties, you can usually add one full-size ADU and one Junior ADU (JADU) up to 500 sq. ft., converted from inside your existing home. This means your property could have two extra units alongside your main house (Main House + ADU + JADU), though city rules may vary.

For multifamily properties, you can typically add at least two detached ADUs. State law sets the minimum, but some cities allow more. For example, under SB9 (the lot split law), you may be able to add two main homes and up to two ADUs, depending on lot size and local rules. If you’re ready to explore building an ADU in your backyard, schedule a free one-on-one consultation with us to discuss your options.

Most ADUs go in the backyard because it allows for faster approvals and improves resale value. Building an ADU in the front yard can be more challenging. If you’re considering a front yard ADU, Apex Homes will run a feasibility study. We’ll check your zoning, setbacks, and whether your city allows any exceptions.