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Bill would extend home‑improvement protections to accessory dwelling unit construction, supporters say it will protect ADU buyers
Summary
AB 559 would explicitly classify accessory dwelling unit (ADU) projects as home improvement under contractors law so progress‑payment protections and related consumer rules apply to ADU contractors. The Contractors State License Board said the bill responds to growing complaints of partial work and excessive up‑front payments on ADU projects.
Assemblymember Berman presented AB 559 to make clear that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are home improvement projects under the Contractors State License Law, thereby subjecting ADU construction to the same progress‑payment restrictions and consumer protections that apply to comparable projects such as garages or basements.
The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) testified in support, reporting an increase in consumer complaints about contractors accepting substantial advance payments for ADU projects and then abandoning work. CSLB staff said the existing definition of home improvement is functionally broad, but that a statutory clarification would strengthen consumer protections and enforcement.
The Casita Coalition (ADU advocates) said it supported the bill’s consumer‑protection intent but requested clarifications for prefabricated ADUs and other technical details; the author agreed to continue working on those points. No organized opposition testified in committee.
The committee voted to pass AB 559 as amended to the Senate Judiciary Committee; sponsors and CSLB indicated they would work on technical language related to prefab units and enforcement.
