One solution to California’s housing crisis is accessible dwelling units, or ADUs, but contractors say building them is no small task.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The housing crisis continues to be a top priority for the California legislature. Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed dozens of bills that will take effect in 2025.
Steve Tankersley, co-owner of Tankersley Construction, says his company completes 10 to 15 projects annually.
“Building anything in California is difficult,” said Tankersley.
One solution is accessible dwelling units, or ADUs, but contractors say building them is no small task.
“Building a single ADU — California has done better at making it more streamlined, but it’s still very difficult,” said Tankersley.
SB 1211 was signed into law to streamline the process and takes effect in January. Currently you can have no more than two ADUs on a property, but the new law increases the limit to eight.
“It’s up to legislatures to balance how that’s all going to work with communities but for us in construction, obviously, we want to build. That’s what we do for a living so anything that helps us build is good for our industry,” said Tankersley.
It also streamlines the process by having fewer restrictions from local agencies on things like design.
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Kyle King is a field service technician with Davis Plumbing Inc. and thinks the new laws will be good for business.
“More homes at a more affordable rate. Family members can afford to move closer to home and it’s more work for contractors,” said King.
These new laws are meant to help the housing market and the economy, according to California State Senator Scott Wiener.
“We have a massive housing shortage in California,” said Wiener.
It’s why he’s one of many legislators authoring housing bills, like penalties for cities not complying with housing laws.
“Some cities — not most cities — some cities refuse to follow state housing laws (and) the existing law doesn’t really hold them accountable. They can force a lawsuit from the state and if they lose, there are no consequences for losing except following the law,” said Wiener.
The senator says there needs to be consequences.
SB 1037 adds enforcement actions if the attorney general has to sue a city for not complying with housing laws and the city loses.
In 2025, the city can be fined and fines range from $10,000-$50,000 a month, plus court costs. The money then gets allocated for affordable housing in the area.
Attorney General Rob Bonta released a statement back in September thanking the governor and senator for the new law.
“With SB 1037, violating our state housing laws, and delaying or denying the homes that Californians desperately need, can lead to more serious consequences than ever before,” said Bonta. “And let me be clear: my office will not hesitate to pursue those consequences when appropriate. Critically, the additional penalties will be used to fund local affordable housing.”
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