SB-9 Subdivisions Are Happening, and New Avenue Is First in Berkeley.
Here's the low-down on the first SB-9 subdivision in Berkeley.
A New Avenue ADU
A New Avenue client in Berkeley had one property. Now she has two.
California’s SB 9 gives homeowners two paths to unlock the potential of a single-family property. You can take advantage of one or both of those paths:
1. Add a second home on your lot.
2. Subdivide the lot into two parcels, each eligible for up to two homes.
Several people have added more homes with SB 9, but only one has used the OTHER HALF of SB 9 and recorded a full subdivision into two parcels.
We’re thrilled to have been at the helm of Berkeley’s very first SB 9 subdivision. We helped our client subdivide her existing property and design a new home for the second lot—showing just what’s possible when you take advantage of this groundbreaking law. Here’s what that will look like.
From one home....
...to two, each with its own lot, its own deed, and its own incredible value.
Here's the first floor of the new home:
And here's the second floor:
This beautiful new home will have plenty of living space.
With three bedrooms, three bathrooms, lots of closet space, and a spacious attic, this new home provides plenty of space for a family who wants to live in a great neighborhood. If the homeowner decides to sell it, the property will be in high demand. If she decides to keep it, it will only appreciate in value while she uses it for as long as she likes.
A lot with a building permit is worth $1,000,000 in places like Berkeley.
Subdividing a residential lot and building a new home on the second lot lets a homeowner unlock the full value of their property by creating a separate, sellable parcel, generating rental income, or boosting long-term investment potential.
It’s a two-year process, and it's totally worth it.
Subdividing also:
provides flexibility for multigenerational living with privacy
makes estate planning easier
offers a way to future-proof finances by adding housing that can appreciate over time and be sold later.
Compared to an ADU, a new home on a separate lot offers greater independence, higher value, and more options for ownership or sale.
More changes are coming! Whether we're talking about SB 9 or SB 684, the future of housing starts here.
Sweeping zoning changes are coming to Berkeley, and with them, SB 684 will soon take the lead over SB 9 when it comes to lot splits and housing options. While SB 9 remains in effect across California, Berkeley’s new approach opens even more possibilities for homeowners here. Ready to transform your property and embrace the walkable, vibrant, European-style living so many of us dream of? Give us a call — we’ll guide you through every step.
We'll get you into your dream home with our full support and absolute transparency from start to finish. Just tell us what you need, and we'll make it happen.
