Areas in CA where there are in law units to the property or where such can be built easily? (Los Angeles: rentals)

[daluu]

I noticed at least in SF Bay Area, it's not common to find properties with in law units. I'm just wondering what are the best places if any within California where one can find such. Or places in California with properties that have a yard big enough to build one on without costing a fortune to own such a property (multi-million dollar home price, etc.)

[saibot]

Originally Posted by daluu

I noticed at least in SF Bay Area, it's not common to find properties with in law units. I'm just wondering what are the best places if any within California where one can find such. Or places in California with properties that have a yard big enough to build one on without costing a fortune to own such a property (multi-million dollar home price, etc.)

Anywhere sufficiently far from the coast. You won't find cheap, large lots in San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego. Try Bakersfield or Fresno, for example.

[CaliforniaPlaya]

Originally Posted by daluu

I noticed at least in SF Bay Area, it's not common to find properties with in law units. I'm just wondering what are the best places if any within California where one can find such. Or places in California with properties that have a yard big enough to build one on without costing a fortune to own such a property (multi-million dollar home price, etc.)

You must not have looked very hard in San Francisco, there are plenty of in-law units, both legal and otherwise.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaPlaya

You must not have looked very hard in San Francisco, there are plenty of in-law units, both legal and otherwise.

True. There are entire neighborhoods of in-law units.

[daluu]

Well, I did say SF Bay Area, not specifically SF. I'm not fond of SF city life (downtown anyhow), perhaps the more surburbia parts of SF. Where are the in-law units located around SF? <-- just out of curiosity, as I'd much prefer elsewhere in SF Bay Area than SF itself.

[RosieSD]

San Diego County has recently eased up on the restrictions for granny flats. https://www.10news.com/news/making-i...t-permits-soar

If you don't need to be right on the ocean, there are inland areas in San Diego County where a house on a big lot (1-2 acres) with a granny flat is very do-able without breaking the bank, especially in the unincorporated areas. And you don't have to go really far inland. DM me if you'd like some suggestions.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by daluu

I noticed at least in SF Bay Area, it's not common to find properties with in law units. I'm just wondering what are the best places if any within California where one can find such. Or places in California with properties that have a yard big enough to build one on without costing a fortune to own such a property (multi-million dollar home price, etc.)

It's VERY common in parts of the Bay Area, to have in-law units! Berkeley, Oakland, Kensington, for starters. San Francisco, par excellence! Marin County, too. In Berkeley and Kensington, people somehow managed to convert separate garages into 2-story rentals, by claiming a "remodel" or some such. If following the letter of the law, they're illegal, but they managed to get permits for them.

[evening sun]

I used to live in an in-law, in the Sunset district. it was great, there was a bus stop outside my front door, which I used to get to work. (before I got a car)
A friend of mine, built one for her Mother, in her home in Daly City. She was able to make it a legal unit, due to her having enough parking. Daly City has a ton of in laws but not all are legal. I think the house has to have sufficient off street parking for the units, in order to be legal, but don't quote me on that.

[TR95]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

It's VERY common in parts of the Bay Area, to have in-law units! Berkeley, Oakland, Kensington, for starters. San Francisco, par excellence! Marin County, too. In Berkeley and Kensington, people somehow managed to convert separate garages into 2-story rentals, by claiming a "remodel" or some such. If following the letter of the law, they're illegal, but they managed to get permits for them.

True, not sure why the OP thinks it's not very common, guess it depends on his definition of common. Many of the areas you mentioned are also encouraging ADU's to help with the housing problem so obtaining permits is much easier now than historically.

[LaylaM]

As of 2017, the city of Santa Rosa (in Sonoma County) has permitted the 'legal' establishment of granny/accessory units. We have a severe affordable housing shortage here and this has been a welcome development that locals are truly embracing.

https://srcity.org/2280/Accessory-Dwelling-Units