Get free confidential consultations to help legalize your unpermitted unit—like a garage conversion or in-law unit—through new Amnesty Program for Unpermitted Dwelling Units, starting Jan.1, 2025.
Owners of single-family homes can legalize previously unpermitted accessory units and have them inspected for safety while avoiding penalty fees as part of an effort to improve the safety of existing housing.
Common unpermitted units might include converted garages or in-law units. The City is looking to address illegal, unpermitted units by helping owners avoid current and future issues while also ensuring safe living conditions for tenants under this new Amnesty Program.
In doing so, this pilot program aims to reduce your liability risks as a property owner and ensure safe living conditions for your tenants. The program is only open for four years, from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2028.
Interested property owners can confidentially ask questions by emailing staff, who will only use your contact information for scheduling.
Reasons to legalize
Ensure safety for tenants and legalizing units helps property owners.
Reduce the risk of liability and future code enforcement while improving chances that home insurance will cover damage.
You improve the appeal of your unit for future buyers or renters, potentially avoid tenants using illegal construction as the basis for not paying rent, and lower the chance of neighbors or tenants reporting unpermitted work.
Make a unit safe and legal also contributes to peace of mind.
Two paths to legalizing your unit
City staff will work with you to help identify which of two legalization paths to follow: a Certificate of Occupancy or Housing Certificate of Compliance.
To apply for a building permit and get a Certificate of Occupancy, property owners would follow the standard building permit process and submit detailed plans including but not limited to the following: site plan, floor plans, interior elevations, exterior elevations, building sections, and details demonstrating specific code compliance requirements such as fire-resistant rating of a wall.
Alternatively, units that meet the Housing Code and minimum fire and life safety standards can get a Housing Certificate of Compliance. This certificate would provide assurance to the property owner that code enforcement proceedings on the previously undocumented unit will not be triggered, as long as no additional unpermitted work is performed on the unit. It also requires that any future fire and life safety or Housing Code violations—resulting from a Request for Service or Rental Housing Safety Program proactive inspection, are addressed in a timely manner.
Find out more about the Amnesty Program for Unpermitted Dwelling Units.
Submitting your Amnesty Program Application
Whether you talk to staff confidentially before applying or you just want to go ahead and apply, first take these steps:
- Confirm your unit is eligible to participate in the Amnesty Program for Unpermitted Dwelling Units—review application materials and Program Rules.
- Research your property to determine the construction or conversion date of the unpermitted unit. To be eligible for participation in the Amnesty Program, the unit must have been constructed or converted before January 1, 2020.
- For unpermitted Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) collect documents that prove the property owner resides at the property in either the primary unit or the attached JADU.
- Complete a Pre-Submittal Checklist.
- Contact Amnesty Program staff to schedule a second free and confidential consultation to review your Pre-Submittal Checklist and discuss pathways to legalization.
- Decide if legalization under this Amnesty Program works for you.
Learn about legalizing your unpermitted unit or just start by emailing staff to set up a confidential meeting to ask more questions.
