About the ADU Center
The ADU Center is dedicated to providing information that can empower homeowners and professionals alike, ensuring a streamlined, understandable, and efficient ADU development process. We are committed to excellence and continuous improvement in our support and services, aiming to contribute significantly to the achievement of ADU development goals across the communities we serve.
The ADU Center is an initiative supported by the Napa Valley Community Foundation, Community Foundation Sonoma County, and the jurisdictions we serve. We are rooted in a commitment to streamline the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development process for all stakeholders involved. This initiative was created in response to the housing crisis we all face, through a comprehensive approach involving surveys, data analysis, and focus group discussions with municipal staff, construction professionals, architects, and current or prospective ADU owners. The insights gathered from these conversations have been instrumental in determining the materials we offer, including an ADU Workbook, an ADU Cost Calculator, low cost ADU plans, and feature articles on ADU projects within the community.
Our objective is twofold:
- Firstly, to provide homeowners with accessible and detailed information to navigate the complexities of ADU development from the earliest planning stages.
- Secondly, to assist local jurisdictions in understanding and applying state legislation and regulatory guidelines, facilitating a feedback mechanism that enhances their planning strategies to fulfill their ADU objectives.
We are honored to have won the 2023 APA California Award of Excellence for our work.
Scott Johnson, Executive Director
Scott Johnson has more than 20 years of experience in project management and urban planning. He has worked statewide for public agencies, private clients, and non-profits on environmental studies, urban infill and equitable housing projects. His work in policy and urban planning is grounded in his early experiences in construction. In recent years he has focused on ADUs as a mechanism to help bring equity and availability back to housing in California. ADUs provide a unique opportunity to provide local housing for local workers while providing flexibility and resilience to the home-owners that build them.
Scott lives in Sonoma County with his wife and children and enjoys hiking, camping, and talking about ADUs to anyone who will listen.
