Napa Sonoma ADU in Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine

Author: Linda Bausch

ADUs and the Napa Sonoma ADU Center were featured this month in Napa Valley Marketplace magazine! Check out the full article and learn more here.

“The availability of new or existing homes on the market locally, for sale or rent, has been at a disadvantage for many years. In the Valley, when homes do go on the market, the prices are exorbitant and out of reach for many, while available land for creating new, affordable living opportunities is also negligible. This situation has more recently been negatively impacted by other major events, unforeseen and tragic. Of course, I am talking about the recent scourge of wildfires (again). In my research for this article, I was reminded of the many thousands of homes and other buildings that were destroyed, the results compounding an already drastic situation. Thankfully some rebuilding has taken place but nowhere near what we need to flesh out the local housing needs, prior to or since.

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Let’s focus on positive housing solutions being made in small, impactful ways, one dwelling at a time.

A California law passed in 2020 required cities to relax approvals and regulations imposed on such construction known as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). An ADU is generally known as Granny or In-Law Unit. They are situated in backyards or on properties of pre-existing homes. Some may even be additions. 

There are some restrictions to this type of build—an example—Unincorporated County—the Ag Preserve is a no-go as far as this option goes; if water restrictions are in effect in a certain area, or a property operates on a septic-system, unless you can accommodate the additional usage with your existing system, or you are able to afford an upgrade, building an ADU will not be allowed. That still leaves many other homes in the running to be considered for an ADU permit. (There may be exceptions for allowing Junior ADUs within the Ag Preserve and water deficient zones.) Permits are required by law to be processed within a sixty-day time frame.”

To read the full article including quotes from homeowners helped by the Napa Sonoma ADU Center, click here.

And to sign up for an ADU feasibility consult from the Napa Sonoma ADU Center, click here!