Report: ADUs Win Over California Homeowners
Californians are emphatically saying “yes” to accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
We recently surveyed California homeowners on how they felt about ADUs. While regulatory complexities remain the top concern, an overwhelming 87% of homeowners welcome or accept ADUs in their neighborhoods. Homeowners value ADUs as a flexible space that can change over time depending on evolving family needs and circumstances. And they recognize them as a versatile solution to ease California’s housing crisis. Yet, many feel held back by the complexities of the ADU process, particularly when it comes to regulations, financing, and finding trustworthy builders.
Below, we break down nine key findings that show how California homeowners are thinking about ADUs in 2024.
Two-thirds of homeowners are open to building ADUs
The majority of California homeowners see ADUs in their future, with 66% either having considered building one or being open to the idea. This suggests significant growth potential as barriers to construction are removed.
Nearly 90% of homeowners support ADUs in their neighborhoods
The NIMBY-YIMBY debate seems settled for ADUs: an overwhelming majority of homeowners support or accept ADU construction in their neighborhoods, showing strong grassroots support for this housing solution.
89% of homeowners approve of California's ADU-friendly legislation
Nearly 90% of homeowners approve of California's ADU-friendly legislation, indicating strong alignment between state policy and homeowner preferences.
Two-thirds think ADUs can help solve California’s housing crisis
A strong majority of homeowners see ADUs as a practical solution to California’s housing challenges, with only 14.5% disagreeing about their potential impact.
70% anticipate using an ADU for multiple uses over time
The overwhelming majority of homeowners value ADUs for their adaptability, seeing them as flexible spaces that can evolve with changing family needs and circumstances.
Family housing leads planned ADU uses
While family housing leads intended uses at 35.7%, the diverse spread of planned applications shows ADUs' versatility in meeting various housing and lifestyle needs.
Housing cost reduction is the top driver for multigenerational ADU living
Financial considerations drive multigenerational ADU planning, with nearly half of respondents citing reduced housing costs as the primary benefit, followed by caregiving convenience.
Seven in ten homeowners want sustainable power options in their ADUs
Sustainable power features matter to California homeowners, with 70% rating electric and solar capabilities as at least moderately important in their ADU planning.
Navigation of rules and regulations tops ADU challenges
The biggest barriers to ADU construction center around process complexity: understanding regulations, securing financing, and finding reliable contractors top the list of challenges.
What we learned
Our research points to a clear shift in how Californians view ADUs: they’ve become a mainstream housing solution that homeowners actively embrace. With 87% supporting ADUs in their neighborhoods and two-thirds considering building one for themselves, ADUs are seen as smart investments that can evolve with changing family needs, all while helping address California’s housing challenges.
As homeowners move past the “whether” of ADUs to focus on the “how,” practical challenges like navigating regulations and finding reliable contractors remain the main hurdles. But with overwhelming support from both homeowners and the state, ADUs are set to become a defining feature of California’s residential landscape in the years ahead.
This study was conducted in October 2024 and surveyed a diverse cohort of 1,000 individuals, representative of the population, who own a home in California and do not already own an ADU. Respondents are not affiliated with Samara.
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