“I suggest working with local contractors you know. I got a general contractor from out of the area I had worked with for many years. We connected him with four local professionals: an electrician, a cement specialist, a subcontractor in framework construction and an installer of tile and granite,” says Michel Augsburger. Michel Augsburger recommends installing solar panels as space and cost allow. The Augsburgers added 20 solar panels for the shared roof to reduce the two structures’ overall electricity bill. Katherine Anderson, owner of Perpetual Homes in Danville, says energy efficient insulation, high ceilings and designs that fit multiple families’ needs are common in the North Bay. These elements help older parents who want to age in place and “boomerang kids” who return to the area. “ADUs are keeping families together. We often build ADUs for family members who live on the same lot. In addition, we can add up to eight detached ADUs. [The number depends] on how many housing units are already on the multifamily property,” says Anderson. Her team has constructed ADUs across the region, from downtown Healdsburg south to Sonoma. Certain aspects of building for multiple families can make a project more expensive. For example, significantly increasing the amount of electricity for the entire parcel requires an application with PG&E. There is also a wait of between six to 12 months. Still, there are many
has found the North Bay has been doing innovative work in ADUs and JADUs. For example, one aspect of ADU regulation that had been common in the North Bay before 2024 and is now required by California state law is “ADU amnesty.” This is a waiver of fines and an approval for the construction of an unpermitted ADU. Property owners who apply for ADU amnesty must agree to inspections of the unit, repairs of health and safety risks like inadequate fire protections and payment of some permit fees. Denise Pinkston, founder and president of Casita Coalition, says the cost of ADU construction can seem high. Yet ADUs are more affordable to build and rent than other types of housing. “In addition, the work in Santa Rosa and other fire-affected areas in the North Bay has given Southern California a path for working ADUs into disaster recovery,” says Pinkston. For years, Casita Coalition has shared advice about housing policy and lobbying with local ADU nonprofits, including Napa Sonoma ADU Center and ADU Marin. A big increase in ADU construction will not quickly alleviate California’s housing shortage, but ADUs are an important type of housing to monitor. “ADUs are small, so they’re usually energy-efficient by design. They’re one of the leading types of housing stock pulling California toward a net-zero economy. This is defined as avoiding or removing the amount of greenhouse gasses that are produced,” says Pinkston. She adds ADU and JADU
opportunities and good spots to build in the North Bay. Lots in Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties tend to be bigger than those in densely populated areas of San Mateo County and the East Bay. Perpetual Housing has specialized designs for ADUs for alternate uses, including farmworker housing and permitted bed and breakfasts. “We have model ADUs in Santa Rosa, Sonoma and Napa that clients can visit. We offer 16 prefab models. This allows us to build the foundation while the ADU is being constructed in the factory,” says Anderson. Casita Coalition is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit with a statewide reach that shares information about ADU laws and best practices. It
innovations in the North Bay are helping drive design and regulatory improvements thousands of miles away, in the U.S. and Canada. “That’s just one reason to continue encouraging ADU construction here,” says Pinkston. g
Interiors and exterior, center, of ADUs constructed by Perpetual Homes, which is based in Danville. [Photos courtesy Perpetual Homes]
Please email comments to jwalsh@NorthBaybiz.com
April 2025
NorthBaybiz 49
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