SAN DIEGO (FOX5/KUSI) — Homeowners with ADUs in San Diego County will soon be able to sell them separately from the main property.
The County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance aligning the county with Assembly Bill 1033, which promotes homeownership by allowing California homeowners to sell their ADUs like condos. Homeowners can start doing this as early as next month.
“I know some of my colleagues are excited about it, but I’m worried and uninterested because the lender situation is complicated, right? I have a loan on this property, and my lender needs to release some of the collateral in order for me to sell something, right?” said real estate agent and investor Matt Davis.
Davis owns several ADUs, including some in the North Park neighborhood. He sees the new regulations as more idealistic than realistic.
“If we were to pass an ordinance, I would want it to be as flexible as possible to give homeowners or homebuilders room to make their projects work. So, while it’s not a perfect solution, allowing ADUs to be sold to collect more housing is a step in the right direction,” said Supervisor Jim Desmond, who represents District 5.
“My main concern is that investors will buy ADUs and continue to rent them out,” District 4 Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe said.
The board voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance without adding any regulations, consistent with AB 1033. It allows the sale of ADUs in an effort to promote homeownership.
“I just don’t think people get to the finish line in a meaningful way. I think that’s idealistic, but from all angles, there’s more to consider,” Davis said.
He believes setting up a homeowners association to share the bill would be costly and could open the door to legal claims from builders and others. However, the discussion is not over yet. The board may make additions to the regulations.
In June, the board will hear options to promote first-time home ownership, including giving tenants first priority when ADUs are sold and owners require occupancy for the first year or more.
The regulations are expected to take effect in early April.
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