How many backyards in Berkeley can legally accommodate a second freestanding unit? Understanding the size of the housing resource represented by building second units in residential backyards had implications for homeowner education, local policy advocacy, marketing for backyard home companies, and partnerships with community and public entities.
Using Alameda County and City of Berkeley data sets, residential lots were mapped and analyzed for their ability to host backyard homes according to recently updated planning codes.
According to this analysis, 7,418 lots in the City of Berkeley alone are large enough and meet zoning, setback, and lot coverage requirements to host a 500 square foot accessory unit.