Marin's first Junior Second Dwelling Unit permit issued $1400 total

Ready to Build JR Units!

A recent decision by the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) board to eliminate water connection fees for JR units means that homeowners in San Rafael, Tiburon, Fairfax and Belvedere now have the green light to start legally building economical, private rental apartments made from underutilized bedrooms in their homes! Larkspur's Planning Commission has just passed a proposed JR unit ordinance that is now moving to the City Council for a final vote, while Corte Madera and unincorporated County say they are also getting close to introducing the ordinance. However, development of room rental spaces can be achieved in the unincorporated areas of Marin right now by navigating a combination of permitting codes and you can actually do it in up to three bedrooms of a home!

Discussions with several of the local sewer agencies have brought about code changes eliminating fees for JR units, a change that can apparently be done through a simple resolution by the board. So we're there! The time has finally come when homeowners, young and old, in the majority of the county can begin re-imagining the ways they are living in their homes and using a streamlined and affordable process to create JR units.

Junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) were originally established in local permitting code in 2015 in Novato. Buy-in from the water and sewer agencies reduced the fees by over 95%, making the development of these living spaces truly affordable. And construction of the very first JR unit in the state is underway! We have been meeting with many more property owners who are considering being the second to move forward with JR unit development.

Lilypad is facilitating the process by helping homeowners look at the feasibility and financing of these units. We also take clients through the planning, permitting and construction process. And we help people confidently navigate the rental of these units if they are not using them to house loved ones or caregivers. This is in addition to our mission to advocate for the elimination of burdensome requirements and fee reductions that in the past have stood in the way of development of ADUs of all types.

If you are a homeowner who wishes to create a JR unit in your home, and your city or town is not listed above, we ask that you call the Planning Director and City Councilmembers and ask them to pass a JR unit ordinance. The ordinance provides homeowners access to low-cost, low-impact and high-benefit type of housing that make both owning and renting a home in the community more affordable. At Lilypad we believe your home is your greatest, most personal asset. That asset should be flexible enough to meet your changing needs during the time you own your home!

Please give us a call if you have any questions about ADU development or just to share a story about the living spaces you already have in your home.

Warmest regards,

Rachel F. Ginis
Executive Director

First JR Unit in the State

Development of Novato's first JR unit is underway. Plans are complete, cabinetry is on site, appliances have been selected, and construction began in August. Thanks to the City of Novato's Planning Department staff, who are as excited as we are about these small, sustainable units, the process to get the building permits was smooth and reasonably priced at around $1400.

The homeowner will use the rental income to help cover property taxes and home maintenance expenses, and to fund her hobbies, including surfing. In the future, she will be able to cut down on work hours and ease her way into retirement. Not a bad return on a bedroom and bath that was no longer in use!

One day she envisions moving into the space herself to reduce her overhead and cover the mortgage while she goes out and travels the world!

Progress on AB 2406

Great progress is being made at the State level as AB 2406 Thurmond: junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) goes up for a vote in the Senate next week! After that, the bill moves back to the Assembly for approval of amendments, and then it is on to the Governor's desk. An urgency clause was added to make this opportunity available to homeowners as early as the beginning of September!

With the statute in place, a jurisdiction simply needs to adopt the code. No additional work is needed by fire authorities or water and sanitation agencies, as the law states that these entities may not consider units made from existing bedrooms to be "new development". At the same time, the Department of Housing and Community Development counts these units toward requirements fulfilling the Regional Housing Needs Assessment. Therefore JADUs are a benefit for renters looking for more affordable ways to live in communities, homeowners, and municipalities alike!