Samara to add ADUs to five multifamily properties in the Bay Area

California-based ADU manufacturer Samara has partnered with Prometheus Real Estate Group to install over 50 accessory dwelling units across five multifamily properties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The partnership comes as California's SB 1211, which took effect in January 2025, significantly expanded ADU development opportunities on multifamily parcels by increasing the cap from 2 to 8 units per property and streamlining the permitting process.

The new legislation allows multifamily property owners to capitalize on underutilized spaces within their existing communities, such as unused recreational areas or oddly-shaped parcels of land.

Samara CEO Mike McNamara noted that property owners can now add rental capacity without the cost of acquiring new land, creating additional revenue streams from spaces like excess tennis courts or decorative areas that no longer serve their original purpose.

The company's modular construction approach enables rapid installation, typically requiring only one day to place units on foundations and connect utilities, minimizing disruption to existing tenants.

For California property developers and owners, this development represents a significant opportunity to increase rental inventory and revenue within existing multifamily communities.

The expanded ADU capacity under SB 1211 provides a cost-effective pathway to address California's housing shortage while maximizing returns on already-owned land.

Samara's partnership with Prometheus demonstrates how the construction industry is adapting to leverage these new regulatory opportunities in the competitive Bay Area housing market.