Remodeling & More
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Monterey Park, CA
Construction of the second home, duplex or split-lot houses that SB 9 allows on qualifying single-family lots, planned around state limits and Monterey Park's objective standards.
- Licensed California general contractor
- Plans, engineering & permits handled
- Written, line-item estimates
- One team from design to final inspection
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes
Unlocking the Second Home Your Lot Allows
Simply Construction builds SB 9 lot splits and duplexes in Monterey Park, turning a qualifying single-family lot into two homes, or into two parcels with homes on each. SB 9 took effect on January 1, 2022, and it lets owners add a second primary unit to a single-family lot or divide the lot through an urban lot split.
Our role is design coordination and construction of the new units. A lot split also needs a parcel map, prepared by a licensed land surveyor or civil engineer and approved by the city, and we fit the buildings to that map. As a licensed California general contractor, we then build the homes, utilities and site work through final inspection.
What's Included
What Our SB 9 Construction Covers
Lot Eligibility Review
We check zoning, lot size, historic status, fire hazard mapping and tenancy history against SB 9's criteria before you spend money on design.
Site Planning
Placing two units, driveways, utility runs and any required parking on the lot, using SB 9's reduced side and rear setbacks where they help.
Unit Design Coordination
Floor plans sized to the lot with your architect and engineer, keeping in mind that local standards cannot prevent two units of at least 800 square feet each.
Existing House Decisions
Keeping and remodeling the current home or removing it, subject to SB 9's limits on demolishing housing that tenants have recently occupied.
Utility Services
New water, sewer, gas and electrical services, which a lot split usually requires for each parcel, coordinated with the utilities and the city.
New Construction
Foundations, framing, roofing, systems and finishes for each unit, built to current California code, including Title 24 energy rules and solar PV on new homes where required.
Is It Right for You?
Does Your Lot Qualify for SB 9?
Single-Family Zoning
SB 9 applies to lots zoned for single-family homes, which in Monterey Park includes the R-1 zone. Lots zoned for multifamily housing follow different rules.
Outside Excluded Areas
Historic districts and listed landmarks are generally excluded. Very high fire hazard severity zones are also out unless the site meets required fire mitigation measures.
No Protected Tenancy Issues
SB 9 restricts projects that would demolish or alter rent-restricted housing or housing tenants have recently occupied. An owner-occupied house is the simplest starting point.
Enough Lot for Two Parcels
For a split, neither new parcel can be smaller than 1,200 square feet or 40 percent of the original lot, and you sign a three-year owner-occupancy affidavit.
Our Process
How an SB 9 Project Moves Forward
Feasibility Review
We review the parcel, existing structures, utilities and access, and identify whether a two-unit development, a lot split, or both fits your goals and budget.
Design and Line-Item Bid
Your architect and engineer produce plans for the units, and we deliver a written bid for each building and for the site work, so you can see where the money goes.
Lot Split Approval, If Splitting
The parcel map is prepared and processed through the city. SB 9 approvals are ministerial, meaning no discretionary hearing, as long as the project meets objective standards.
Building Permits
Plans for each unit go through plan check with Monterey Park Building and Safety, along with separate electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits for each building.
Construction, Utilities and Final
We build both units, connect new or separated utility services, and pass inspections at each stage through final sign-off and occupancy approval for each home.
Options Compared
SB 9 Paths Compared
SB 9 offers two tools, usable separately or together, and a standard ADU remains the alternative.
| Option | Best For | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Two-unit development, no split | A second home on the same parcel | Adds a second primary unit or converts the house to a duplex; both units stay on one parcel |
| Urban lot split | Owners who want parcels they can sell or finance separately | Parcels of at least 1,200 sq ft and 40 percent of the original; owner-occupancy affidavit required |
| Lot split plus two units per parcel | Larger lots with room to build | Each new parcel can hold two units, and cities may count ADUs toward that limit |
| ADU instead | One extra unit without new parcels | Detached ADUs can generally reach 1,200 sq ft, and ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from impact fees |
Budget Planning
What Drives SB 9 Construction Cost
SB 9 projects combine new home construction with site and utility work a single house rarely needs, so cost depends heavily on the lot. We price each unit and the shared site work separately, once plans and site conditions are known.
Existing Structure
Keeping the current house saves demolition and new construction, though it may need upgrades. Demolition adds disposal costs and possible hazardous-material abatement.
Utility Connections
New sewer laterals, water meters and electrical services can add significantly to an SB 9 budget, especially when each parcel needs separate connections.
Unit Size and Design
Two smaller homes cost less in total than two larger ones, but cost per square foot rises as floor area shrinks because each still needs a kitchen and bath.
Professional and City Fees
Survey, parcel map, engineering and city fees sit outside the construction price, and our bid shows which of these fall outside our contract.
Local Knowledge
SB 9 Lot Splits and Duplexes in Monterey Park
Monterey Park's R-1 zone normally calls for 25-foot front and rear setbacks, 5-foot first-floor side setbacks, 50 percent lot coverage and a floor area ratio that steps down from 50 percent on lots under 6,000 square feet to 35 percent above 10,000. Under SB 9, the city can still apply objective standards like these, but not in a way that blocks two units of at least 800 square feet each, and side and rear setbacks can drop to 4 feet.
R-1 buildings also top out at two stories or 30 feet. In 2025 the City Council adopted the state's fire hazard map, which staff reported shows no high-hazard areas in Monterey Park, so the fire zone exclusion rarely applies here. Historic status and tenancy still need a parcel-by-parcel check.
Why Choose Us
Why Homeowners Choose Simply Construction for SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes
Design and Construction Under One Contract
Fitting two homes onto one lot within reduced setbacks, utility routes and objective standards takes close, early coordination between design and construction. Our design-build approach puts design coordination, permitting and building under one written contract, which California requires for home improvement work over $500, so no detail falls into the gap between an architect's drawings and a separate builder's schedule.
Payment Rules That Scale With the Project
SB 9 projects are large, which makes California's payment limits especially useful. State law holds the deposit to the smaller of $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price and keeps each progress payment from exceeding the value of completed work and delivered materials. We tie draws to milestones for each unit, such as foundation, framing and rough-in inspections, so you pay for progress you can verify.
A Licensed Builder Based in Monterey Park
Any job of $1,000 or more requires a CSLB-licensed contractor, and an SB 9 build far exceeds that. Our licensed California general contracting office is at 850 Mira Valle St, and we file plan sets with the city's Building and Safety Division ourselves and track every comment. The CSLB website lists our license, bond and workers' compensation details for anyone to verify.
Service Area
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes Across Los Angeles & Ventura Counties
We take on SB 9 lot splits & duplexes projects in every community below. Each link leads to that city's page, where you can see how our full range of services applies there.
San Fernando Valley
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Burbank
We screen Burbank lots for SB 9 eligibility, including historic status and fire hazard zoning, then build the second unit to state standards and the city's local requirements.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Studio City
On the valley floor, some Studio City lots qualify for an SB 9 second unit or lot split, and we build those projects once fire zone and historic exclusions are ruled out.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Sherman Oaks
SB 9 duplexes and lot splits on qualifying Sherman Oaks lots, most often on the flats north of Ventura, where fire zone exclusions are less likely to apply.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Encino
We build SB 9 units on qualifying Encino lots after confirming eligibility, fire zone status and the three-year owner-occupancy affidavit that an urban lot split requires.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Woodland Hills
On eligible Woodland Hills lots, we build the second primary unit SB 9 allows, after checking fire zone status, lot dimensions and the owner-occupancy commitment a split requires.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Toluca Lake
SB 9 duplex and lot-split construction on qualifying Toluca Lake parcels, beginning with a zoning and exclusion review before design fees are committed.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Valley Village
SB 9 second units and lot splits on eligible Valley Village parcels, with lot size, owner occupancy and height checked before any drawings are started.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Tarzana
SB 9 second units and lot splits on Tarzana's level single-family lots, with a fire-zone eligibility check for any parcel in the hills south of Ventura.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Reseda
SB 9 duplex and lot-split construction on Reseda's level single-family parcels, starting with a review of lot size, utilities and access.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Northridge
SB 9 two-unit and lot-split construction on eligible Northridge parcels, starting with lot dimensions, rear access and utility capacity.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Porter Ranch
SB 9 feasibility and construction on the Porter Ranch lots that qualify, with fire-zone exclusions, slope and HOA rules reviewed first.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Granada Hills
SB 9 construction on eligible level ranch lots in Granada Hills, with Balboa Highlands and fire-zone parcels screened out or reviewed first.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Chatsworth
In Chatsworth, an SB 9 split needs careful math: fire zone mapping, lot size and horsekeeping minimums all decide whether dividing a large lot makes sense.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in West Hills
Flat West Hills lots are the likeliest SB 9 candidates; hillside parcels in the very high fire zone need mitigation measures before a split or second unit is possible.
Glendale, Pasadena & Northeast LA
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Glendale
On Glendale's flatter lots outside historic districts and fire zones, SB 9 can allow a second home. We confirm eligibility first, then build both units to state standards.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Pasadena
SB 9 work in Pasadena starts with lot-split math and the owner-occupancy affidavit, since a split requires an intent to live in one unit for at least 3 years.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Altadena
Before any Altadena SB 9 design, we confirm whether the parcel's fire hazard designation and the required mitigation measures allow a second unit or a lot split at all.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in South Pasadena
SB 9 feasibility and construction in South Pasadena, where local historic exclusions and the 2026 changes from AB 1061 decide whether a second unit or lot split can proceed.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in San Marino
Feasibility checks and construction for SB 9 projects in San Marino, where local frontage, phasing and green building requirements narrow the qualifying lots before design begins.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in La Crescenta-Montrose
SB 9 duplexes and lot splits in La Crescenta-Montrose, screened first for slope, fire hazard mapping and whether the parcel sits in the county or in Glendale.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Eagle Rock
SB 9 duplexes and lot splits for qualifying Eagle Rock parcels, with hillside and fire zone status checked before any site plan is drawn.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Silver Lake
SB 9 projects in Silver Lake, where slope, access and lot shape are studied before any site plan for a second unit or new parcel.
Westside, Hollywood & the Coast
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Santa Monica
SB 9 projects in Santa Monica start with confirming the lot is outside historic districts and not a listed landmark. Once eligibility is clear and plans are approved, we build both units.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Beverly Hills
SB 9 duplex and lot split construction on eligible Beverly Hills parcels, starting with a check for landmark status and fire hazard zone exclusions.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Pacific Palisades
Because the whole Palisades is a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, we check SB 9 eligibility against fire mitigation, coastal and hillside rules before any design money is spent.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Malibu
We assess Malibu SB 9 ideas against fire hazard rules, lot size, coastal status and onsite wastewater capacity, and say plainly when a lot does not qualify.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Brentwood
SB 9 feasibility reviews for Brentwood lots that start with fire hazard zone status, parcel size and the owner-occupancy affidavit, before any design fees are spent.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Bel Air
Candid SB 9 feasibility checks for Bel Air lots, where fire hazard zoning and hillside rules usually point owners toward an ADU instead.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Westwood
SB 9 duplex and lot-split assessments for flat Westwood parcels near UCLA, checking parcel size, zoning and historic status first.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in West Hollywood
SB 9 feasibility for West Hollywood single-family lots, testing whether two units and the required setbacks fit before plans are drawn.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Hollywood Hills
SB 9 reviews for Hollywood Hills parcels, screening fire zone status, historic overlays and access before any second unit is designed.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Marina del Rey
SB 9 reviews for single-family lots near Marina del Rey, covering zoning, coastal clearance and Mello Act requirements before design begins.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Oakwood
SB 9 duplex and lot-split reviews for Oakwood lots, covering coastal clearance, the Mello Act and minimum parcel size before design starts.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Manhattan Beach
Parcel-by-parcel SB 9 assessments for Manhattan Beach lots, weighing lot size, alley access, parking and coastal review ahead of any architectural work.
Santa Clarita, Conejo & Las Virgenes
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Santa Clarita
For SB 9 projects in Santa Clarita, we plan around the city's call for one enclosed garage space per unit, then build both homes once the lot qualifies and plans are approved.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Thousand Oaks
In Thousand Oaks, SB 9 eligibility often turns on fire hazard mapping near open space. Once a lot qualifies and plans are approved, we build both units.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Calabasas
SB 9 potential in Calabasas depends on fire zone mapping, slope and CC&Rs; we review all three before a homeowner spends money on design.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Hidden Hills
SB 9 applies in Hidden Hills, but association CC&Rs and fire zone mapping can limit a split, so we review both before design begins.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Bell Canyon
Bell Canyon SB 9 eligibility turns on how Ventura County reads the parcel, plus fire hazard mapping, septic and slope, which we check before any plans.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Topanga
Topanga's fire zone mapping, slopes and septic limits make SB 9 a poor match for most parcels, so an ADU or junior ADU is usually the more practical option.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Oak Park
SB 9 can reach detached single-family lots in Oak Park, but condos and townhomes don't qualify, and fire zone mapping and CC&Rs need review first.
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes in Moorpark
SB 9 lot-split and duplex reviews for Moorpark parcels, weighing lot size, fire zoning and homeowners association rules before a recommendation.
Related Services
Often Paired With SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes
New Construction & Additions
ADU Construction
Detached and attached accessory dwelling units designed, permitted and built under one contract.
Explore ADUsNew Construction & Additions
Custom Home Building
Ground-up custom homes and tear-down rebuilds, managed from plans and permits to final inspection.
Explore Custom HomesNew Construction & Additions
Garage Construction
New detached and attached garages, including garage and ADU combinations built to current code.
Explore New GaragesWant to know who you would be working with? Read about Simply Construction, see our project gallery, or contact our Monterey Park office.
FAQ
SB 9 Lot Splits & Duplexes Questions, Answered
What is the difference between an SB 9 unit and an ADU?
An SB 9 unit is a primary dwelling, not an accessory one, so ADU size caps don't apply, and on a split lot it can be sold with its own parcel. An ADU is secondary to a main house. SB 9 has stricter eligibility, including the lot-split owner-occupancy affidavit.
Can I split my lot in Monterey Park under SB 9?
Possibly. The lot must be zoned single-family, sit outside historic districts and excluded hazard areas, avoid protected tenancy situations, and yield two parcels that each meet the 1,200 square foot and 40 percent minimums. The city processes the parcel map, and we review eligibility with you before you commit.
Does SB 9 require me to live on the property?
For an urban lot split, you sign an affidavit stating you intend to live in one of the units as your principal residence for at least three years. The affidavit is tied to the lot split, so ask the city how it treats a two-unit project on an unsplit lot.
How much parking does an SB 9 project need?
State law caps how much off-street parking a city can require for SB 9 units and eliminates the requirement near major transit and in some other situations. We lay out driveways and any required spaces during site planning so they don't consume room the second unit needs.
Can I keep my existing house?
In many cases, yes. Owners often keep the original home and add a second unit or split off part of the yard. SB 9 does not require new setbacks for an existing structure, though it restricts demolition of housing tenants have recently occupied. We assess it before design starts.
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Licensed California General Contractor · CSLB [CSLB LICENSE # PLACEHOLDER]