ADU SLO
What is ADU SLO?
Started in 2019, ADU SLO, a Program of Smart Share Housing Solutions, was created to assist property owners on the logistics of adding housing units using backyards, garages, infill lots and existing buildings that already have infrastructure and embedded energy grid. Smart Share supports opportunities for safe and affordable housing through Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Tiny House on Wheels (THOWs) in San Luis Obispo County backyards.
What is an ADU? Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a
permanent residential dwelling unit providing complete independent
living facilities for one or more persons, and is accessory to an
existing or proposed primary dwelling. An ADU is also called a second unit, a junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU),
granny flat, in-law unit, or backyard cottage, and is an additional unit of
housing added to a parcel of land containing a single-family home.
Some of the many benefits of having an ADU might be having a flexible living space that meets the needs of families that are branching, blending, and/or aging. Many homeowners find the supplemental income outweigh the costs of building an ADU, which increases their long term financial stability. Check out the many resources below for the financing aspect of adding an ADU to your home to see if this is right for you.
What is a THOW? Tiny Homes On Wheels (THOWs) are movable tiny houses that are typically separate, independent living quarters with the following characteristics:
No larger than 400 square feet
Mounted on a wheeled trailer frame
Includes basic functional areas that support normal daily routines, including a bathroom, kitchen, and sleeping area
Designed and built to look like a conventional single-family house
Utilizes conventional building materials
ADU Construction Update: Sept. 2024
San Luis Obispo County jurisdictions are in their 5th year of their current housing element cycles, and have four years of ADU data now reported. Check out where the cities and the County are at toward meeting their goals below.
- Two exciting projects for 2024 -
The Arroyo Grande "How To ADU" Project (L), and the Demo-Off Grid Caretaker's Cottage (R)
Smart Share Housing Solutions is pleased to continue its series of workshops for Arroyo Grande homeowners this spring. Click here: AG ADU/THOW for complete information on this project.
This cute tiny home Illustrates how a small living space can be a pleasing, energy efficient and affordable home, particularly for the County's 1 in 4 single person households. Click here: Demo Cottage for complete information on this project.
- Demo Off-Grid Caretaker's Cottage Photo Collage -
Visit the Demo Cottage page for more information.
In mid 2019, ADU SLO held the Tiny Footprint Expo, showcasing small homes and offering educational workshops. 850 persons attended more than 25 educational workshops and more than 6,000 people attended the 3-day event!
Looking for more information on ADUs and THOWs? We recommend these links and resources:
- Check the Smart Share Housing Solutions YouTube Channel here.
- Discover the Casita Coalition's wealth of resources, including informational booklets and videos and legislative updates here: www.casitacoalition.org
- American Tiny House Association: Americantinyhouseassociation.org
- You can also find a wealth of useful information on ADUs from California's Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) here: www.hcd.ca.gov
- Your one-stop source about accessory dwelling units, multigenerational homes, laneway houses, ADUs, granny flats, in-law units: www.accessorydwellings.org
- HelloADU's programs are designed to support homeowners through every
phase of the design and construction process creating housing stability
for existing homeowners while adding new rental units that are
affordable to a median-income tenant: www.hellohousing.org/adus
YIMBY spoken here--yes in my backyard!
ADU SLO helps bring tiny house dreams to life in SLO city backyards
Smart Share Housing Solution's program ADU SLO, created to make connections between people and tiny house living. A new ordinance now allows Tiny Houses On Wheels (THOWs) in SLO City, Grover Beach, and Arroyo Grande backyards, opening up new housing possibilities. (For now only these three cities allow ADU/THOWs.)
We're here to help folks go from dream to reality, whether they have a lot that might be suitable, or own their own tiny house and are looking for a yard to host it.
The photo shows the first yardshare match in SLO! Rita and Taylor agreed to share Taylor's yard and Rita moved her tiny house in on August 13th. Congrats to both!
Our staff has background in planning, permitting and construction, and experience in drafting sharing agreements. Sign up to receive e-newsletters on our Contact page to stay in the loop, or email us at info@smartsharehousingsolutions.org for any specific questions.