Why does the garage conversion fall under the bonus ADU program and not just considered the junior ADU?

Kim Lisa TaylorSecurities Attorney, Founder, Syndication Attorneys, PLLC · Corporate Securities Attorney, 2x Best-Selling Author, Nationwide Speaker | Private Placement

Why Your Garage Conversion is a Bonus ADU, Not a Junior ADU

27 Jan 2025 · 1 min

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In a brief Q&A, the speakers clarify why a client’s garage conversion qualifies as a bonus accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rather than a junior ADU. They explain that a junior ADU must be built within the existing footprint of the primary residence, whereas the garage in question is a detached structure. Because the homeowner already has an ADU above the garage, the conversion must follow the bonus ADU program, which governs detached units added to a property that already contains an ADU.

Questions this video answers

Because a junior ADU must be built within the existing house footprint, while the garage is a detached structure. Since the homeowner already has an ADU above the garage, the conversion must go through the bonus ADU program.

Vince asked, why does the garage conversion that your existing client is doing fall under the bonus ADU program and not just considered the junior ADU?
Good question, because a junior ADU would have to be constructed within the existing square footage. So if he took the main house and built this ADU, a fully self-contained unit inside the main Existing footprint, then it would be considered junior ADU. The garage is detached. So it's a detached backyard garage. And the reason why it's bonus ADU is because he's already got an ADU above the garage. You need to go through the bonus ADU program to pull that off.