NEW! UPDATED! - July 2026 Cohort
Casita Academy facilitated online course starting:
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 >> Welcome Workshop
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Principles (California)
Scholarships Available: Apply for a need-based scholarship. Click and complete the form
(View the workshop schedule in the Course Curriculum below)
ADU Principles for California Course Schedule
Casita Academy - ADU Principles California
Course Schedule | 3-week course - 4 live online workshops with the cohort
Welcome Workshop 1.0 hour - Cohort Live Online
Tuesday, July 7, 2026: 3:00 - 4:00 pm - Access Course for Live Online Link
Welcome Workshop
- 1.0 hour - Cohort Live Online
- Course Welcome and Introductions
- Course Review and Schedule
- Assign Sections | Remote self-paced learning
- 2026 Accessory Dwelling Units in California
- ADU Laws 2026 1-10
Cohort Lesson Review Workshop - 1.0 hour - Cohort Live Online
Tuesday, July 14, 2026: 3:00 - 4:00 pm - Access Course for Live Online Link
- 1.0 hour - Cohort Live Online
- Cohort Discuss/Highlight Sections
- 2026 Accessory Dwelling Units in California
- ADU Laws 2026 1-10
- Property Reviews
- Assign Sections | Remote self-paced learning
- ADU Laws 2026 11-30
Cohort Lesson Review Workshop - 1.0 hours - Cohort Live Online
Tuesday, July 21, 2026: 3:00 - 4:00 pm - Access Course for Live Online Link
- 1.0 hours - Cohort Live Online
- Cohort Discuss/Highlight Sections
- ADU Laws 2026 11-30
- Property Reviews
- Assign Sections | Remote self-paced learning
- 2026 Changes to State ADU Laws
Cohort Lesson Review Workshop - 1.0 hours - Cohort Live Online
Tuesday, July 28, 2026: 3:00 - 4:00 pm - Access Course for Live Online Link
- 1.0 hours - Cohort Live Online
- Cohort Discuss/Highlight Sections
- 2026 Changes to State ADU Laws
- Property Reviews
- Casita Coalition Certificate Awarded for Completion
- Remote Lessons and Completion
- Introduction to future courses
About the Course
Casita Coalition presents a course designed to provide equitable access to the development and building of ADUs and middle housing in California
This course is an in-depth review of California's principles, guidelines, and legislation for developing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). ADUs are affordable, create income, and provide housing and privacy for extended families, small families, friends, young people, and seniors by providing flexible options for independent living.
Topics include
Legislation and laws; middle housing development requirements; ADU development standards; and an in-depth understanding required to build ADUs and JADUs
This course is intended for those interested in understanding and planning to develop and build accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Participants will learn:
The core fundamentals of ADU legislation for the state of California
Clarity on key components for the development of ADU in your municipality
Insights on the ADU potential, feasibility, and the process for building
Evaluation and analysis of the real-life examples submitted by participants
How to understand local ADU ordinances and how they apply to your property
How to maximize the potential for ADU development on your property and identify the best solutions for you or your clients
Maximizing the potential of what can be built under current California ADU law on single-family and multifamily properties.
These essentials and many others are covered in this cohort-based course, with remote online course segments you can complete at your own pace, plus weekly virtual meetings with your facilitator.
What you should expect
Course Kickoff Welcome Virtual Workshop–Meet your instructor and fellow cohort learners and tour the course.
Weekly facilitator-led virtual workshops with your facilitator covering the scheduled lessons from the week, your submitted assignments, and your project example reviews.
Engaging Learner insights and experience roundtable discussions on real-life examples submitted through the assignments.
Key review of lessons and assignments as they relate to your submitted projects.
Self-paced remote learning online lessons that will prepare you for the weekly online live workshops discussing how they apply to your projects.
Chapter Knowledge checks that reinforce learning from the lesson and highlight the key takeaway for practical application.
Certificate with Completion
Participants will receive a for successful completion of the course.
About Casita Coalition
The Casita Coalition is a statewide, cross-sector 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to expand housing choice, affordability and availability in California neighborhoods, so all may thrive. We draw on the diversity of knowledge and experience of our members and ecosystem partners to remove barriers to the equitable production of ADUs and other middle-scale homes. Learn more on our website
Casita Academy - Learning Pathways mission is to increase information symmetry through education providing equitable access to knowledge and resources thereby increasing information and technical literacy. We knowingly act responsibly regarding the neutrality, accuracy, and access to information provided to increase the confidence and quality of learning and education.
Our Sponsors
Thanks to our program sponsors: JP Morgan Chase & Co., and our seed sponsor, the California Homebuilding Foundation, for their support of Casita Academy.
More About the Course
The Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Principles (California) course is an in-depth review of the legislation and guidelines for the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to increase affordable middle housing using the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Accessory Dwelling Unit Handbook as the resource.
Emphasis is placed on the laws and specific guidelines governing ADUs highlighting the advantages of the development of this middle housing. ADUs are affordable, create income, and provide housing and privacy for extended families, small families, friends, young people, and older adults by providing flexible options for independent living. Topics include legislation and laws; middle housing development requirements; ADU development standards; and an in-depth understanding required to build ADUs and JADUs This course is intended for those who are interested in understanding and planning to build accessory dwelling units.
