California Legislature Passes Bill to Increase Multifamily ADUs

The California State Legislature has approved SB 1211, expanding opportunities for property owners to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on multifamily properties.

The bill increases the current limit on detached ADUs from two units to up to eight units, depending on the number of existing multifamily units on the property.

This change allows property developers and owners to better utilize vacant land, unused parking areas, and other underutilized spaces on their properties to create additional housing units.

Current law permits up to two detached ADUs on multifamily properties, along with additional interior ADUs that must be built within existing structures like basements or garages.

These restrictions have prevented many property owners from maximizing their development potential, even when adequate space exists.

The new legislation removes these barriers by providing greater flexibility in ADU placement and quantity, enabling properties to reach their full housing capacity.

The bill builds on California's recent ADU success, which has resulted in over 80,000 units constructed in the past seven years following earlier state reforms.

For property developers and homeowners with multifamily properties, SB 1211 represents an opportunity to increase rental income and property value while contributing to California's housing supply.

The legislation particularly benefits owners of larger multifamily developments who previously faced artificial caps on their ability to add housing units to underutilized portions of their properties.