I see these “makeshift” illegal units in both newer and older construction. [/quote]
So why not change the zoning and allow people to build legally and make it right.
The makeshift units are not safe. They are being built without permits. Let’s change the zoning laws to allow people to turn SFRs into duplexes and triplexes if that’s what they want to do.[/quote]
brian, most of the detached units WERE built with permits. However, they are still “illegal” because they do not have their own utility meters, their own addresses and some don’t have their own parking space. They were built as “companion units” or “granny flats” with the “intended” use of putting a relative in there, with the homeowner paying their utility bills. WRT to the “casitas” that were discussed here, my understanding is that they were first floor master suites (1 of 1 or 1 of 2) located inside single family residences. Some had a door leading out the side or back of the house (like many MBR’s) but did NOT have a separate address. These rooms were also built for relatives of the homeowner and are NOT self-sufficient. Besides the adjoining master bath, some may have a wet bar if it was an existing master suite or family room where one was already installed (popular in 1970’s construction). The bar sink of this “wet bar” can be outfitted with small appliances which are moveable and NOT built in. No permit is needed to do this. It is not really a “kitchenette” if one can remove all the appls in 10 mins and restore it back to the original “wet bar.”
What I was suggesting is that family members living in these rooms might only use their own (countertop) appls occasionally and eat most of their meals with the family in the kitchen. The appls are just there for privacy when the “tenant” or “granny” wants to eat alone or if the door from the room to the house is locked or closed off and the room is rented to a non-relative.
I don’t really like the wink-wink kinda stuff with hot-plates, wetbars, unpermitted partition walls, windows turned into separate door entrances, and other mikey mouse things.
I think we should change the local laws to allow people to transform part of their houses into rentable units, not necessarily with separate utility meters and address numbers, but as legal rental units with kitchen, bath and laundry.
