A Room For Mom

INLAW UNITS legally known as “secondary units” are in great demand. These are small one bedroom 450-750 sq. ft. detached cottages, or separate access rentals located on single family R-1 lots. California passes legislation in the early 1983 authorizing cities to adopt ordinances allowing people to construct Inlaw Units, sometimes also called “Granny Cottages”, on single family home lots.

Cities responded with a wide variety of ordinances governing the rules under which these units can be constructed. In effect, a single family home lot becomes an R-2 duplex. After mom does live in the cottage, eventually a renter moves in.

I’ve become an expert on secondary unit ordinances in San Jose, Campbell, Saratoga, Santa Clara County and Campbell. I know several contractors who are building Inlaw Units now. For example Campbell requires a minimum 10,000 sq. ft. lot. Almost 25% of lots in Campbell are 10,000 square feet or more, so this requirement is not as onerous as it might be in another community.

Anyone interested in finding or building a Inlaw Unit should first become familiar with the applicable city ordinances. A simple way to do this is to call or email me at vmcmurdie@gmail.com.

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