In this deep-dive on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), hosts John Engel and Roberto Cabrera sit down with Sheri Koones, David Melton, and Christine Osterwalder to unpack what’s really driving the ADU movement—and how homeowners, builders, and municipalities can get it right. We cover the policy backbone in California (why the state guarantees approval of at least one 800-sq-ft ADU with 4-ft side/rear setbacks, regardless of lot coverage and FAR), how owner-occupancy rules were removed statewide (and what that means for financing and operations), and the new opt-in pathway for separate ADU sales via condominium maps—plus where local adoption is actually happening.
From there, the panel gets practical: designing within 800 sq ft without feeling cramped (programming, daylighting, storage, and outdoor “rooms”); factory-built and panelized options to compress schedule and control cost; budget ranges and the line items that bust them (sitework, utilities, access, and permitting); and use cases—from multigenerational housing and caregiver suites to rental income and neighborhood infill. We also scan how other states are following California’s lead, where the bottlenecks still are (parking, height, and discretionary review), and how to position an ADU for long-term value instead of just short-term rent.
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr4cwgY2-FA
Episode page: https://www.boroughsandburbs.com/e/boroughs-burbs-130-adus-the-perfect-housing-solution/
Links & Social
Guests:
• Sheri Koones — https://www.sherikoones.com/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-koones-1966a55/
• David Melton (ATL ADU CO) — http://atladuco.com • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-melton-61a0919/
• Christine Osterwalder (Unity Homes) — https://unityhomes.com/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christineosterwalder/
Hosts:
• John Engel — IG: https://www.instagram.com/jengel199/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jengel/
• Roberto Cabrera — IG: https://www.instagram.com/rcabrera1/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberto-cabrera-4619845/
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Keywords: #ADU #accessorydwellingunit #smallhomes #prefab #panelizedconstruction #800sqft #California #ADUlaw #owner-occupancy #condo-ization #multigenerationalhousing #rentalincome #UnityHomes #ATLADUCO #SheriKoones.
