Concord’s Requirements For Building An ADU

What Are Concord, California’s ADU Requirements?

For some, accessory dwelling units are better known as guest houses, granny flats, or secondary units. You may be able to build one (or more) on your land, but it is essential to understand the Concord, CA ADU requirements if you intend to bring one to the Contra Costa housing market. As a prospective ADU builder in Concord, the first thing to understand is that an ADU can be attached to your main residence or constructed as a detached dwelling. You may also be able to convert an existing structure, like a standalone garage, into an ADU.

For building an ADU in Concord, your design needs to:

• Meet the relevant size and setback requirements
• Conform to zoning regulations
• Comply with rules relating to things like parking and utilities
• Be approved by your local planning authority

Big changes to California legislation around ADUs made headlines in 2023, directly impacting the Concord landscape. Some of the most substantial updates to the legislation included allowing people to sell ADUs as condos, enforcing greater transparency around the 60-day approval/denial window, and easing restrictions around front setbacks and ADU size. Consequently, there are now fewer barriers to getting approval for an ADU, and you have greater freedom in terms of what you can do with one.

Some regions have already leveraged flexibility in the rules to create their own variation of the guidelines. Here are some specifics for Concord, California:

• Attached ADUs: The maximum size of an attached ADU is 1,200 square feet, but it may not be more than 50% of the square footage of the main residence. The height can be equal to that of the main residence, up to a maximum of 25 feet.
• Detached ADUs: If you build a detached ADU on a single-family lot, the size limits are 1,200 square feet and 16 feet in height. The rules for multi-family lots are a little different (more on that later).
• Converted ADUs: There are no restrictions for these, as the structures already exist.

If you plan to build an ADU in Concord and hope to rent or sell it as an independent dwelling, it will be subject to Concord property taxes. Now we will move onto some other key details about Concord, CA ADUs.

Who Do You Need To Be?

Compliance with Concord, California ADU requirements dictates that you must be a property owner in this beautiful city. You also need to have sufficient capital or third-party funding for the project, and enough space on your lot to build a valid ADU. Simply put, if you own land in Concord and are able to meet the requirements laid out by the current legislation, you can proceed with building an ADU in the city.

What Income Do You Need?

The income required for building an ADU in Concord, California depends entirely on the nature of your proposed project. Acquiring a permit costs money, and you may also need to pay for having a design drawn up as well as the actual cost of construction. The exception to this is if you choose from Concord’s free pre-approved ADU plans to expedite the application process and avoid hiring an architect.

Typically, it costs between $50,000 and $300,000 to build an ADU in Concord, but these free plans could reduce that outlay. Once built, we could help you rent out or sell your ADU to enjoy a return on your investment.

Where Do You Need To Be?

To build an ADU in Concord, California, it stands to reason that you must own property within the city. You will find similar rules throughout Contra Costa, but the free pre-approved plans are exclusive to Concord. Your application must be submitted to your local authority to obtain a permit.

What Actually Are ADU Laws In Concord, California Exactly?

Concord’s laws for building an ADU are a comprehensive legislative ordinance that governs the building and use of accessory dwelling units. There are various ways these structures can be built, but the rules around them have caused a lot of difficulty as they have long been very vague and restrictive. Campaigns for change led to a number of Assembly and Senate Bills, the most recent of which have been AB 976, 1033, and 2221, effectively changing the ADU landscape for California.

The updated laws provide greater freedom for the building of ADUs in Concord and elsewhere in California. It is a welcome change for people wishing to invest in their property and people looking for more affordable housing options in the city.

What Is Concord’s ADU Ordinance?

The ordinance for building an ADU in Concord, CA is the city’s specific set of guidelines and instructions relating to the following for accessory dwelling units:

• Designing
• Building
• Using

ADU ordinance lays out the particulars relating to things like zoning, sizes, setbacks, and the ability (or lack thereof) to sell the units as independent dwellings.

In Concord, it is important for new structures to fit with the style and character of the existing neighborhood.The updates to the regulations were made to streamline the approval of ADUs, but they aim to balance that with preserving the character of local communities as much as possible. Overall, the goal of the state of California is to address notorious issues with housing shortages and provide more affordable housing options.

What Are Concord, California’s Local Ordinances For ADU Requirements?

We have a vast amount of experience as real estate agents in Concord, and we maintain our expertise by keeping up with developments in the city. The recent ADU changes have shaken up this vibrant housing market, so let’s highlight some key updates:

• AB 2221: The ADU permitting process has been adjusted to streamline procedures with various alterations, including the enabling of JADUs with fewer regulatory requirements.
• SB 897: Size restrictions have previously caused problems for ADU designs, so this bill increases the state-wide maximum size to 1,500 square feet. In Concord, the current limit is 1,200 square feet, so look out for changes.
• AB 916: This allows for financial incentives for homeowners to invest in ADU construction. Concord’s free pre-approved ADU designs are a good example of this.
• AB 157: The removal of the strict requirements for off-street parking for ADUs is a key development in improving the market.

It can be helpful to work with a team of real estate professionals to navigate the legislation for building an ADU in Concord, California. We specialize in all things relating to property, and can offer insights into everything from applying to renting or selling ADUs in Concord. Take a look at our customer reviews to get an idea of how we have helped hundreds of buyers and sellers in Contra Costa.

What Qualifies As An ADU In Concord?

According to Concord, CA’s ADU requirements, an accessory dwelling unit is a secondary residential unit on an existing lot that is fully independent of the main residence. This means the fundamental utilities must be built in, such as a kitchen and bathroom, and all zoning and building guidelines must be adhered to.

The Concord market for ADUs has been impacted by various regulatory changes, including:

• SB 13: Addressing common hurdles for ADU approval like excessive fees and restrictive parking rules.
• AB 68: Lot size requirements are eased, and it is now possible to build more than one ADU on a single-family lot.
• AB 881: Several construction-related issues are modified, including height limitations and setback standards.

ADU builders in Concord, California must be mindful of these key considerations. Keep up to date on this evolving landscape to ensure your project goes ahead as intended. We can offer assistance with this, as we are tapped into the latest developments for all real estate in Concord, CA.

The Concord, CA ADU And Zoning Laws

The new Contra Costa ADU rules are fundamental to Concord’s zoning regulations for ADU construction. You are now able to add 2 new units to your lot if you have the requisite space, and municipalities must approve compliant ADUs up to 1,200 square feet or JADUs up to 500 square feet.

For multi-family lots, there can be multiple ADUs attached to existing dwellings as well as 1-2 detached ADUs on the property. This could lead to more sophisticated plans for developers in the city.

The lowest size cap permissible in California is now 800 square feet and 16 feet in eight. Moreover, a 4-foot rear and side yard setback is the new minimum standard. For building an ADU in Concord, the current maximum size is 1,200 square feet, but this could change in the future. Contact is for expert advice on renting or selling an ADU in Concord or anywhere else in Contra Costa.

How To Build An ADU In Concord, CA Following All The Requirements

It is now simpler than ever to obtain an ADU permit in Concord, California, particularly if you choose one of the free, pre-approved plans. Many of the common barriers to approval have been removed, so it is much easier to create a compliant plan to add an ADU to your lot.

We recommend that you work with local planning departments to ensure your design meets the necessary criteria, as this will increase your chances of success. There is still a 60-day window for assessing applications, but the City of Concord must now be completely transparent about refusals, providing detailed explanations and recommendations for improvement.

Your budget is another vital consideration, as you must have the capital to cover:

• The fees for obtaining a permit
• The cost of construction

You may also need to pay for the design phase if you don’t use one of the free pre-approved designs. Financial incentives are in place for some regions in California, so be mindful of the possibility that some might be introduced in Concord. You can also explore various finance options to help you proceed with this investment in your property. We can help you sell your ADU in neighboring Richmond as well as Concord, and elsewhere in Contra Costa, to see big returns on your investment.

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Reduced Parking Requirements For ADUs

The City of Concord is no longer able to insist on the provision of off-street parking for prefabricated ADUs that are:

• An integral part of the main residence or a pre-existing ancillary structure
• Situated in a historic district
• Within a half-mile of public transportation

Parking restrictions should no longer be a troublesome obstacle for prospective ADU builders in Concord, California. The new changes are already making an impact on the Concord and Richmond housing markets, so there is potential that this could ease the housing shortage.