California’s population is rebounding, andADU’s are a part of the reason why. A combination of factors caused California’s population to decline for the first time since the state has kept track of such things. The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing lockdown meant many workers could work from home and so were no longer tied to the location of the job. That in addition to the highest cost of living in the country led many to leave the state over the last decade. But the allure of natural beauty and high quality of life has brought people back to the Golden State. In 2023, California’s population increased by about 67,000 people. To house these incomers, new stock has had to be built.
About a third of that number, 22,800 is the amount of new ADU’s that were built in California last year. This shows the popularity of this option for Californian’s hoping to become homeowners despite the price of home’s remaining stubbornly unaffordable for many in the middle class. Many municipalities throughout the state have also updated their codes to encourage the building and installation of these types of homes, changing their zoning laws to allow for easier ADU allowances. In 2024, Sonoma County expanded the number of allowable ADU’s on properties with single and multi family home dwellings. This means that as more people move back to California, it will be more possible to add rental units to your property. In addition, more and more people will be willing to move to California with an affordable option in becoming a homeowner.
