A requirement that the property owner live on the property — either in the main house or in the ADU.
California state law prohibits cities from imposing owner-occupancy requirements on ADUs permitted between 2020 and 2025 (extended via AB-976). JADUs still require owner-occupancy. Some cities are expected to reinstate owner-occupancy on new ADU permits from 2025 onward — verify with your local planning department.
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.