The City of Walnut Creek is pleased to participate in a rebate program to help homeowners who want to add an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) on their property. While cities across the state are encouraging the building of ADUs to help address the housing shortage, this program is unique.
“The City is continuing to look for innovative ways to ease the housing shortage,” said Mayor Cindy Darling. “We believe this can be a key motivator to encourage those who have been considering that step.”
Some key guidelines include that ADU units must be 1,000 square feet or smaller. Rebates are limited to individual homeowners, and only one rebate is allowed per individual or entity within the City of Walnut Creek. Additionally, only one rebate can be awarded per single-family residential lot or Assessor’s Parcel Number. It’s also important to note that while the program is available now, it will end in August of 2026.
The best way to get started is to visit the City’s website at walnutcreekca.gov/adu for details, or email ADUprogram@walnut-creek.org.
no thanks
I specifically purchased a rental home in Concord with a lot big enough to add an ADU and not be cramped for either tenant. It’s in a great location and would allow for both dwellings to basically have street frontage and complement one another. My plan from the outset was to add an ADU to maximize the income from the property and to help alleviate the housing issue.
NOPE. After what the Concord councilmembers recently passed, the “residential tenant protection program”, and the overall shift to eliminating landlord rights in favor of the tenant, I no longer have any interest in adding an ADU and exposing myself to even more restrictions and lawsuits. CA tenant laws are ludicrous.
Just last month I took an application from a person wanting to rent a dwelling I own. I went online to check the Megan’s Law database, as I do for every applicant. This person turned out to be a convicted forcible rapist of a minor child. Did you know that in CA I can’t use that fact as a reason to deny the application? He rapes children, but I can’t tell him I don’t want him in a neighborhood with children around in MY rental property. You’d better believe if he offended again on or in my property that I would be named in a number of lawsuits against him for his rape. Why would any landlord take on that additional risk?
NOPE. I’m not renting out any more properties in CA, and when the current tenants I have whom I love and appreciate decide to move, I’m selling everything.
You are absolutely correct, and your piece is powerful and well written.
Our elected officials are obtuse.
They are driving out investors that provide rental housing. And when the rental housing volume goes down, the price goes up. And when that happens, they’ll get nasty with rent control and more investors will sell until only owner occupied properties remain. Then they’ll raise our taxes to fund government sponsored slums.
Our elected officials are compounding the problem. If only they had the most basic understanding of finance and economics, they might be able to actually discover solutions.
So someone with 250K+ to build and ADU get s break from us taxpayers. The break will increase the value of their current asset and the taxpayer gets nothing in return. But we’re solving the housing crisis…
Actually, the tax payers do get something in return albeit indirectly. More revenue to the local municpalities to offer more services and more people crowding your city! My beloved city of Walnut Creek used to be easy and quick to navigate. I could go to Macy’s at Broadway Plaza tobuy a pair of Levi’s and come home in 30 mins. Now it takes me 30 mins just to get to downtown due congestion and finding parking several stories up the lot.
Add an ADU and pay more property taxes ! “Yeah that’s the ticket ! hmmm how can we siphon more $$$$$
Oh no! This is not good people housing more onto their small lots. What is WC thinking..oh yeah more tax dollars even with some piddly rebate offered. I’d be pissed if any of my nextdoor neighbors built ADU units even tho we are all on 1 acre lots.
WELL, – – ISN’T – – THAT, – – JUST – – SPECIAL ! ! !
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They are so desperate, they’re resorting to bribery.
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Conveniently, no mention of how much your property TAX bill will increase.
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Just what everybody needs, a little known person or persons wondering around you’re yard. – – – HARD PASS !
Sounds like if you build one of these,they will wait till youre done to dream up a technicality to not pay you.
Don’t do it…. what happens on your property you are liable for….. “do you know your renters?????????”
So they are offering to charge you less for the privilege to build on your own property so they can generate more tax revenue?
This may be an unpopular opinion but If you are planning on building one consider giving your neighbors a heads up as a courtesy as this can cause tensions. For example all of a sudden your neighbor builds one 5ft from your fence line with a high roof and there is a window that is now looking into your yard and you hear the new AC compressor going non stop.I get it it’s their property but try and think about how your design could negatively affect your neighbors quality of life just as a consideration maybe when drawing up the plans. Maybe plant some landscape for privacy of all affected.