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WITH HIGH HOUSING COSTS , ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS RISE IN POPULARITY AS REGULATIONS RELAX TO MAKE APPROVALS QUICKER AND EASIER .
By SHARAEL KOLBERG
Laguna Beach homeowners wanting to expand their living space to accommodate extended family or create a rental unit on their property have long been able to do so with the city ’ s accessory dwelling unit permit , but there were many hurdles and requirements leading to only 12 permitted between 2006 and 2016 . The process has become easier in recent years , as the state of California passed laws mandating that cities accelerate the production of affordable housing options , which includes allowing ADUs and approving them more quickly .
In late 2021 , the city of Laguna Beach enacted an ordinance to update city code related to ADUs . So plans that meet certain standards and ordinance requirements don ’ t require design review , making it typically faster , easier and less expensive for homeowners to get approval to build one of these units . To further encourage these projects , the city also created an ADU Handbook in August and hosted a public workshop in partnership with the Susi Q Senior Center in September to help demystify the process .
There ’ s plenty of interest in the topic , with more than 100 people showing up for the free session and another 40 viewing it online . And , notably , the city has received 173 ADU applications , of which 38 projects have been completed , since 2020 . So far this year , the number of applications is double what it was for the same period in 2020 .
HOME SWEET ADU ADUs , also called granny flats , in-law units , casitas or backyard cottages , can be attached or detached from the main house and can be new construction or converted existing space , such as a garage . These one-story units are an affordable housing option for an aging parent or relative , college student , caretaker or disabled resident — and can provide a source of income for homeowners . It provides an opportunity for family members to live together , while also allowing them privacy from each other .
It is particularly helpful for aging residents to stay in this town that they love . Senior citizens , who may need extra care as they age , can live in an ADU on their grown son or daughter ’ s property to be close to family . Or , seniors may choose to live in an ADU on their own property to avoid maintaining a larger home and then rent out their main home as a source
THIS SPREAD EXCEPT SIDEBAR PHOTO : LAURIE W . NASSIF
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