Protecting our homes. Working toward a fair path to permits.

In many cases, yes. Under AB 2533 (2024), California counties must approve permits for ADUs and junior ADUs built before January 1, 2020 — they cannot deny you just because the unit was built without permits, and they cannot charge penalty fees. A permit can only be denied if the unit is genuinely substandard (unsafe under the state health & safety definition).

• The county is required to post a checklist of those health & safety criteria on its website.
• You have the right to a confidential inspection by a licensed contractor of your choosing before you ever apply — you can find out where your unit stands without contacting the county.
• Separate state law also lets homeowners request a five-year delay of code enforcement for older ADU violations that aren't health or safety threats.

Gov. Code § 66311.7 (AB 2533); Health & Safety Code §§ 17920.3, 17980.12. This is general information, not legal advice.

A clear, affordable process for legalizing an existing unpermitted dwelling instead of red-tagging it: the county publishes what a unit must meet, the owner gets an inspection (their own or the county's), fixes anything unsafe, and receives a certificate that makes the home legal to live in and rent. Jurisdictions across California — including rural Humboldt County — already run programs like this.

You don't have to identify yourself or your property to learn your options. Start with the confidential third-party inspection right described above, or leave a question for community organizers — questions go only to the community effort, never to the county.

Sign the petition, show up on September 15, and sign up for email updates so you hear when it matters. If you have documents worth sharing — county notices, letters — the library collects them.