Great news for Homeowners with Existing Unpermitted ADUs!
If you've been thinking about legalizing an existing unpermitted ADU, there's good news for you.
California's AB 2533 has created a simpler path for eligible homeowners to officially permit an existing ADU without having to treat it like a brand-new construction project. That means the focus isn't on bringing every part of an older structure up to today's building codes. Instead, the goal is to confirm that the ADU provides a safe and healthy place to live.
Why We're Excited to Share this News!
We're proud to announce that we successfully secured the first AB 2533 permit with Napa County. This is an exciting milestone—not just for our team, but for homeowners throughout Napa County who have existing unpermitted ADUs.
Why Does AB 2533 Matter?
For many homeowners, navigating the permitting process for an existing ADU can feel overwhelming. AB 2533 helps make that process much more straightforward by providing a streamlined path for qualifying projects.
Rather than an extensive plan review, the process generally includes:
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Construction drawings
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Inspections as needed
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A building checklist that focuses on health and safety
It's a practical approach that helps existing ADUs become legally permitted while ensuring they're safe for occupancy.
What Does the Process Look Like?
If your ADU qualifies under AB 2533, the process is designed to be simple and easy to follow.
First, we'll determine whether your project is eligible. From there, we'll prepare the required drawings, coordinate with the County, schedule any necessary inspections, and work through any health and safety items that may need to be addressed before final approval. Every project is different, but the overall process is intended to be much more approachable than traditional permitting.
Next Steps
Having already navigated this process, we know what it takes to help move a project from where it is today to a legally permitted ADU. Whether you're just starting to explore your options or you're ready to begin, we're here to help guide you every step of the way.If you've been wondering whether your ADU can be legalized, now is a great time to find out. We'd love to answer your questions and help determine if your project is eligible under AB 2533!