Chris Parker / November 22, 2022
Governor Newsom also signed into law Assembly Bill 2221 and its sister bill, Senate Bill 897, which expands and clarifies some regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
Once these laws take effect on Jan. 1, permitting agencies will be required to approve or deny (in writing) an ADU application within 60 days. Also, new detached ADUs can be up to 18 feet tall (instead of 16 feet) if the property is located within 0.5 miles walking distance to a fixed bus stop or other transit stop.
Also, new detached ADUs won’t have to adhere to front-yard setbacks, presuming they meet the 800-sq.-ft., up-to-18-ft. height limits. This is significant because currently a new detached ADU proposed in the city of Los Angeles would be required to be located 55′ from the front property line or halfway between the front and rear property lines, whichever is less.
