Los Angeles has long been defined by its single-family neighborhoods, where detached houses, garages, and backyards occupy much of the city’s residential landscape. But the traditional arrangement of one main house and one backyard is gradually changing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beginning January 1, 2027, California’s Assembly Bill 956 (AB 956) will expand opportunities for homeowners to construct up to two detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on qualifying single-family properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The legislation creates new possibilities for adding housing without completely redeveloping existing neighborhoods. Yet it also introduces a practical architectural question: can two independent backyard homes fit comfortably on an ordinary Los Angeles residential lot?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The answer depends on much more than the property’s overall size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n