** ADVANCE FOR MONDAY JULY 1 ** Christine Minnehan sweeps up in front of her "granny flat" located in the backyard of her Sacramento, Calif home Thursday, June 27, 2002. Despite opposition from cities and environmentalists, a measure is moving through the Legislature that would make it easier to build the small backyard or above-garage units touted nationally for older relatives, college students and other renters. Minnehan is living in her "granny flat" while she has her house renovated.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
A new law will make it easier for California homeowners to build additional small units on their properties. Introduced last week by Senator Bob Wieckowski, SB 831 would eliminate most of the fees cities charge for construction of new granny flats or in-law units, and help ease the state’s affordability crisis.