EP 88 - How to ADU with Ryan O'Connell

In this power-packed episode, I sit down with Ryan O’Connell, founder of How To ADU and one of California’s leading voices in housing reform. Ryan manages a 200K+ member community helping homeowners, investors and professionals navigate the ever-changing world of ADUs and SB 9 development.

Together, I and Ryan break down the newest California housing bills, from SB 1211 and AB 253 to SB 489 and explain how they reshape the ADU landscape for 2026 and beyond. They dive deep into:

🏗️ How the new third-party plan check law empowers homeowners to bypass city delays
🏠 Why ADUs and JADUs are finally gaining parity under state law
⚡ How to leverage SB 9, AB 1033 and other middle-housing bills for more units and higher ROI
📜 The growing role of HCD oversight and what it means for local cities
💡 Why transparency and accountability are the biggest wins for investors this year

Whether you’re a homeowner planning your first backyard home, a multifamily investor scaling your portfolio or an ADU consultant navigating new policies, this episode is your roadmap to staying ahead of the curve.

🎧 Tune in, geek out and learn how to ADU smarter not harder.

Connect with Ryan:

Website: https://www.how-to-adu.com/

IG:https://www.instagram.com/ryanohousing/

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Connect with me:

Connect with me:
📧 stephanie@adugginvestments.org
Website: www.adugginvestments.org
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@stephsellADU
Instagram: @StephSellsADUs