Assemblymember Phil Ting, Mayor Matt Mahan, and housing advocates have introduced an exciting new ordinance in San Jose aimed at increasing affordable homeownership. This initiative allows property owners to sell their accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as separate condominiums from their main houses, offering a unique path to homeownership. San Jose is the first city in California to opt into AB 1033 by Assemblymember Ting. This law enables homeowners to sell ADUs independently. Both the main house and the ADU will be shared obligations but separate titles. This groundbreaking move aims to make homeownership more accessible, providing opportunities for first-time buyers and allowing seniors to downsize more easily.
ADUs, also known as backyard cottages, in-law units, or casitas, have seen a surge in popularity thanks to recent state legislation making them easier and faster to build. San Jose has been at the forefront of this movement, with a significant increase in ADU permits and streamlined local permitting processes. In fact, San Jose has received twice as many ADU applications as Oakland and four times as many as San Francisco.
Mayor Matt Mahan emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "We need to keep the American Dream alive by bringing the innovation inherent to our region into our housing policy, and this new ordinance does just that." With the San Jose City Council's recent approval, homeowners can now sell their ADUs, opening new doors for affordable housing in the city. Other cities like Berkeley, Sacramento, and San Diego County are also exploring similar ordinances, potentially following San Jose's lead in making homeownership more attainable across California.
Stay tuned as San Jose continues to innovate and lead the way in affordable housing solutions. For more information on how this new ordinance could benefit you, feel free to reach out to us!
Source: Assemblymember Phil Ting
