There will be continued financial hall passes for Marin County homeowners living in unincorporated areas who are considering construction of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on their property. That could mean thousands of dollars in savings.
On March 11, the Marin County Board of Supervisors voted to extend fee waivers through December 31, 2026, for second units designed to create more living spaces in housing-challenged Marin and generate steady income for the property owners. The Board passed a resolution that waived or reduced building permit fees associated with construction of such living units.
For applicants, that could mean up to $10,000 in savings if a new unit falls under affordable housing parameters. Those not qualifying could still yield savings of up to $2,500 for ADUs and $1,500 for slightly smaller additions known as junior ADUs (JADUs).
The high cost of housing in Marin, considered a crisis by the Board, is regularly displacing people who have been priced out and preventing people who have jobs in Marin from living close to their workplaces. The COVID-19 pandemic only increased those challenges. ADUs and JADUs are considered options to alleviate the crisis and provide more homes for people without greatly expanding existing building footprints.
The main difference between an ADU and a JADU is that an ADU has a more complete independent living setup with a full kitchen and bathroom. A JADU is converted from existing space, shares central utility systems, has a smaller food preparation area, and sometimes shares a bathroom with the main dwelling on the property. Both types of units have a wet bar and entrances/exits separate from the property’s main entrance/exits.
Homeowner candidates thinking about second units are often going through a life transition – seniors transitioning to a fixed income, becoming empty nesters, looking for a solution to an overcrowded household, or seeking to create affordable housing for friends and family. An ADU or JADU can generate new rental income, help someone age in place, help a financially strapped college student or recently discharged military veteran, or just provide a community benefit of a new home for anyone in need.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to reach out to ADUMarin, a countywide resource that provides support to homeowners in the ADU design and build process. That resource offers a range of services including a free one-hour, one-on-one feasibility consultation, technical assistance, recommended vendors, pre-approved ADU plans and information on loan options.
Also, anyone may subscribe to receive e-mailed notifications from CDA about housing-related issues. For more information on the applicable standards and permit process for JADUs and ADUs, contact the Marin County Building and Safety office at 415-473-6550 or check the CDA Building and Safety Code Division webpage.
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