City of Sebastopol
Status: Active
Ordinance: 1162
In January 2026, Sebastopol became the first city in Sonoma County to opt into AB 1033, legalizing the separate sale of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as condominiums. That means qualifying backyard homes can now be deeded, financed, and sold independently — creating new, attainable for-sale housing within existing neighborhoods.
Key Highlights
Sonoma’s First
Sebastopol became the first city in Sonoma County to adopt AB 1033, passing the ordinance in a 4–1 vote to create attainable, for-sale housing options within existing residential neighborhoods.
30–60 Day Reviews
Qualifying ADU and condominium subdivision applications are processed ministerially, with typical review timelines of 30 to 60 days once a complete application is submitted — significantly faster than many larger jurisdictions.
Low Barriers to Build
Sebastopol maintains a 750-square-foot city impact fee exemption and supports regional ADU feasibility tools to help homeowners evaluate costs and returns before committing. The city is also counting for-sale ADU condos toward its state housing targets, aligning staff incentives with project approvals.
Sebastopol Just Turned Backyard Homes Into Attainable Ownership Opportunities
Sebastopol’s ordinance allows qualifying ADUs — including certain Junior ADUs — to be converted into condominiums and sold separately from the primary residence. Each unit receives its own deed, title, and property tax bill, creating a fully independent ownership structure under California’s AB 1033 framework.
To proceed with a condo conversion, the ADU must be fully completed and receive a certificate of occupancy before a condominium map can be recorded. The subdivision must comply with the Davis-Stirling Act and the Subdivision Map Act, and written lender consent is required if the property is encumbered by a mortgage. Shared elements such as driveways or utility lines must be managed through a homeowners association.
This pathway is active and codified. Sebastopol adopted its implementing ordinance in January 2026 as part of its Housing Element strategy, and city staff are explicitly prioritizing for-sale ADU projects as part of Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) compliance.
With median home prices around $1.4 million, Sebastopol faces steep barriers to entry for first-time buyers. City leaders have framed these “backyard condos” as a way to introduce smaller, more attainable ownership options without changing neighborhood character. For homeowners, that creates new flexibility — whether unlocking equity, downsizing, or transferring property to family members.
Sebastopol Coverage & Policy Resources
Ready to Explore an ADU Condo Conversion in the City of Sebastopol?
If you own an ADU in Sebastopol and want to evaluate whether condominium conversion makes sense for your property, we’ll walk you through subdivision requirements, lender coordination, and expected professional costs so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.