Eight new homes behind a 1960s apartment building
The owner had 14 units and a back lot full of carports. Under SB 1211 that lot now holds eight new ADUs.
Hidden homes on an existing lot
The building had 14 apartments and a strip of carports and storage along the back of the lot. SB 1211 lets an existing apartment property add detached ADUs, one for every existing unit up to eight, approved without a public hearing. We designed eight new units in a two-story building. The covered parking at the back sat unused, so we converted it, and the new layout actually has more parking spaces than before.
Carports out in January. A roof on by May.
- JanuaryUnused carports cleared
- FebruaryLot cleared
- MarchFoundation poured
- MayRoof on, two stories
- JuneWalls closed in
Eight more homes, found on an existing lot
The law that made it possible
In effect since January 1, 2025. It's why this owner could build without rezoning or buying land.
A lot with a building of two or more attached units can add detached ADUs, in any zone that allows multifamily housing.
One detached ADU per existing unit, capped at eight. This building had 14 units, so eight was the maximum.
Garages, storage and other non-living space can also become ADUs: at least one, or up to 25% of the existing units.
Approval is ministerial: the city checks the plans against the rules and has 60 days to act on a complete application.
Parking removed to build an ADU, covered or not, doesn't have to be replaced. The owner chose to add parking anyway: the new layout has more spaces than before.
The work happens behind the existing building, phased around access and utilities, so tenants can usually stay through construction.
The build, from above
Drone footage from May and June.
The numbers, plainly
Maywood, CA
| Existing homes | 14 |
| New ADUs | 8, in a two-story building |
| Program | SB 1211, ministerial approval |
| Parking | Unused covered parking converted; more spaces than before |
| Construction | Started January 2026 |
Projects across Southern California
Every dot is a project our team has built or is building. The pulsing ones are under construction now.
Locations are rounded so no home can be found.
Recent projects
1,200 sq ft detached ADUA full second home behind the main house, with the kitchen opening straight onto the yard.
Maywood MultifamilyEight new homes behind a 14-unit building, on the same lot.
400 sq ft garage conversionWe turned a two-car garage into a cozy two-bedroom home with a kitchen and a living area. 2About this project
Did the owner need to rezone?
No. SB 1211 allows detached ADUs on an existing multifamily lot without rezoning.
Why eight ADUs?
SB 1211 allows one detached ADU per existing unit, capped at eight. With 14 units, eight was the maximum.
Can my building do the same?
It depends on the lot, setbacks and fire access. The free Lot Check tells you how many fit.
Have a building like this?
Send the address. We'll tell you how many ADUs fit.