California Assembly Bill 2221 (2022) — strengthened state preemption of local ADU restrictions and required ministerial review for code-compliant ADU applications.
Combined with SB-13 (2019), AB-976 (2023), and AB-1033 (2024), AB-2221 established the modern California ADU regulatory framework. Cities cannot impose discretionary review, public hearings, or design review committees on ADUs that meet adopted standards.
Part of the BackyardADU California ADU Glossary — plain-English definitions of the regulatory, construction, and financing terms you'll encounter during a California ADU project.