Legal & policy

SB 1211 vs SB 9

SB 9 covers single-family lot splits; SB 1211 covers multifamily ADUs. They complement, not overlap.

SB 9 (2021) and SB 1211 (2024) are complementary, not competing. SB 9 covers single-family lots: it allows a lot split plus up to 4 units total on what was a single-family parcel. SB 1211 covers existing multifamily lots: up to 8 detached ADUs plus interior conversions on lots already zoned multifamily.

If your lot is single-family zoned with one house, you use SB 9. If it has 2+ legal residential units, you use SB 1211. They don't stack on the same parcel because the underlying zoning determines which path applies.

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Related legal & policy topics

SB 1211 vs AB 1033AB 1033 lets ADUs be sold as condos. SB 1211 lets you build more of them. Used together, they enable separate-sale multifamily ADUs.What 'ministerial approval' means under SB 1211No public hearings, no design review, no neighborhood-character findings. Objective standards only.Objective standards under SB 1211Setbacks, height, fire access, building code. What cities can and cannot review.SB 1211 and rent controlHow Costa-Hawkins and local rent control interact with new ADUs built under SB 1211.HOAs and SB 1211Civil Code §4751 voids HOA restrictions that effectively prohibit ADUs.Existing vs proposed buildings under SB 1211The 8-ADU cap only applies to existing multifamily. Proposed projects are still capped at 2.Who SB 1211 helpsSmall landlords, mid-size apartment owners, family-owned multifamily portfolios.Short-term rentals and SB 1211Cities can still prohibit STR use of ADUs.

How this topic plays in different cities

SB 1211 in Palo AltoSanta Clara County · $3,300/moSB 1211 in El MonteLos Angeles County · $2,200/moSB 1211 in EscondidoSan Diego County · $2,200/moSB 1211 in WestminsterOrange County · $2,400/moSB 1211 in RiversideRiverside County · $1,800/moSB 1211 in Thousand OaksVentura County · $2,700/moSB 1211 in StocktonSan Joaquin County · $1,600/moSB 1211 in VallejoSolano County · $2,100/moSB 1211 in Santa MonicaLos Angeles County · $3,500/moSB 1211 in Santa AnaOrange County · $2,400/moSB 1211 in Rancho CucamongaSan Bernardino County · $2,100/moSB 1211 in San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo County · $2,400/mo

By property type

Duplex2-unit · up to 3 new ADUsTriplex3-unit · up to 4 new ADUsFourplex / 4-unit4-unit · up to 5 new ADUs5-unit apartment5-unit · up to 6 new ADUs6-unit apartment6-unit · up to 7 new ADUs8-unit apartment8-unit · up to 10 new ADUs10-unit apartment10-unit · up to 10 new ADUs12-unit apartment12-unit · up to 11 new ADUs16-unit apartment16-unit · up to 12 new ADUs20-unit apartment20-unit · up to 13 new ADUs24-unit apartment24-unit · up to 14 new ADUs32-unit apartment32-unit · up to 16 new ADUs

Other topics

SB 1211 parking requirementsSB 1211 ADU cost calculatorSB 1211 permit timelineSB 1211 setback requirementsSB 1211 height limitsFinancing multifamily ADUs under SB 1211HCD-approved modular ADUsFire code compliance for SB 1211 ADUs