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Matt Baran

@mattbaranarchitect

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Architect. Developer. Professor.
Small-lot subdivisions, SFDs & ADUs in CA.
I design & build houses & housing.
Projects by the numbers & other fun ⬇️

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𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲? 🏠

Architect Matt Baran shares a real project his team is working on in Oakland.

And the design is pretty interesting.

The property sits on a downslope.

Instead of building one traditional home, they're exploring a layout with two connected dwelling units.

Here's how it works:

🏠 Upper floors: Main living space and bedrooms.

🏗️ Lower floor: An ADU-style unit underneath the main home.

🚪 Connected design: The lower unit connects to the rest of the house.

The idea is to create a larger overall home while designing two potential dwelling units.

Why does this matter?

California's Starter Home Revitalization Act (SHRA) includes unit size requirements that can affect how developers design new housing.

But what if you're building in a neighborhood where buyers want larger homes?

Matt explains how a connected two-unit layout could provide additional living space without treating the entire structure as one oversized unit.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁.

But here's the important part.

An ADU-style space doesn't automatically qualify as a legal second dwelling unit.

Developers still need to satisfy applicable building codes, unit definitions, and local approval requirements.

Matt's Oakland project is an example of a design strategy being explored, not proof that every California property can use the same approach.

Sometimes creative housing development starts with looking at the same lot differently.

💬 DM me "SB1116" @kentfaihe to get the full podcast link.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, financial, investment, insurance, or tax advice. It is not an offer or solicitation for any investments. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.

#AffordableHousing #SB1116 #SB1123 #RealEstateDevelopment #MattBaran

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What if California developers could use 15 MORE FEET of their property to build housing? 🏠📐

Architect Matt Baran explains a potentially important change under California's SB 1116.

Here's the problem.

Imagine you're trying to build starter homes on a small lot.

You already have limited space.

But your city requires a 25-foot front yard setback.

That means a large portion of your property can't be used for the building footprint.

And when you're trying to fit multiple homes onto a small lot, every foot matters.

Matt explains that SB 1116 establishes a 𝟭𝟬-𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗺 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 for qualifying SHRA projects.

Here's a simple example:

📏 Previous front setback: 25 feet

📏 New maximum under the provision Matt describes: 10 feet

🏠 Potential additional buildable depth: 15 feet

That extra space could help developers create:

✅ Larger building footprints.

✅ More practical floor plans.

✅ Better use of limited land.

✅ Housing projects that may be more financially feasible.

Of course, eligibility and other development requirements still apply.

But this is why small changes to California housing laws can have a big impact on what developers can actually build.

Sometimes you don't need more land.

You need to understand how much of the land you can legally use.

💬 DM me "SB1116" @kentfaihe to get the full podcast link.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, financial, investment, insurance, or tax advice. It is not an offer or solicitation for any investments. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.

#AffordableHousing #SB1116 #SB1123 #RealEstateDevelopment #MattBaran

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𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗥𝗔 𝗙𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗥 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲? 🏠

Architect Matt Baran explains an important change under California's SB 1116.

Here's the problem developers faced before.

Imagine your city allowed buildings up to 30 feet tall.

But there was another rule.

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝟮 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀.

Even if your design could fit 3 stories within that 30-foot height limit, the story restriction could stop you.

Matt explains how SB 1116 changes that for qualifying SHRA projects.

📏 The applicable building height limit still matters.

🏠 But a separate two-story restriction may no longer apply.

🏗️ That means a developer could potentially fit 3 stories within the permitted height.

Why is that important?

Because an additional floor could help developers build homes closer to the 1,750-square-foot SHRA threshold without needing a larger lot.

And for small lot subdivisions, that extra living space could make a big difference in what buyers are willing to pay.

But there's a catch.

𝗔 𝟯𝟬-𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝟯 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀.

Your design still needs to satisfy building codes, safety requirements, and other applicable standards.

The lesson?

Don't just look at the number of stories allowed.

Understand how the height rules apply to your specific project.

💬 DM me "SB1116" @kentfaihe to get the full podcast link.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, financial, investment, insurance, or tax advice. It is not an offer or solicitation for any investments. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.

#AffordableHousing #SB1116 #SB1123 #RealEstateDevelopment #MattBaran

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𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸?

It might be worth 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬. 🏠📐

Architect Matt Baran explains why SB 1116 could change the math for certain starter home developments.

Here's the problem developers faced before.

Imagine you found a property that could support 5 or 6 good-sized homes.

But minimum density requirements pushed you toward building 8 smaller homes instead.

Those smaller homes might be harder to sell at prices that justify your development costs.

So what were your options?

❌ Build homes that might not pencil out.

❌ Challenge the city's requirements using a "physically preclude" argument.

❌ Walk away from the deal.

Matt explains how SB 1116's removal of minimum density requirements for qualifying projects could change that decision.

𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆.

And if those larger homes generate enough revenue to cover land, construction, financing, and other costs?

The project might finally make sense.

Of course, not every property qualifies, and fewer units don't automatically mean better returns.

But if minimum density was the reason you rejected a deal, Matt suggests revisiting your feasibility analysis.

Sometimes the opportunity isn't finding a new property.

It's looking at an old opportunity under a different set of rules.

💬 DM me "SB1116" @kentfaihe to get the full podcast link.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, financial, investment, insurance, or tax advice. It is not an offer or solicitation for any investments. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.

#AffordableHousing #SB1116 #SB1123 #RealEstateDevelopment #MattBaran

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𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆'𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗺 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀? 🏠

The answer may depend on 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 your property is located.

Architect Matt Baran explains a major challenge with remainder lots under California's Starter Home Revitalization Act (SHRA).

Imagine your city requires every new lot to have:

📏 5,000 square feet of land.

📐 50 feet of minimum lot width.

🚗 25 feet of street frontage.

But your existing property doesn't have enough space to meet those standards.

Does that mean your subdivision is impossible?

Not necessarily.

Matt explains that, based on his understanding of HCD guidance at the time of recording, local jurisdictions may decide whether remainder lots must meet minimum lot size requirements.

He shares three examples:

🏠 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗼𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀: Matt says minimum lot size standards aren't required for remainder lots.

🏠 𝗟𝗼𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆: Matt says minimum lot size standards are required.

🏠 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹: Matt says minimum lot size standards aren't required.

Same state housing framework. Different local interpretations.

And that's why understanding your city's requirements matters before spending money on a development project.

HCD stands for the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

It's an important state agency for understanding California housing laws and their implementation.

Always verify the current requirements with your local planning department before relying on a remainder lot strategy.

💬 DM me "SB1116" @kentfaihe to get the full podcast link.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, financial, investment, insurance, or tax advice. It is not an offer or solicitation for any investments. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.

#AffordableHousing #SB1116 #SB1123 #RealEstateDevelopment #MattBaran

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California's new 15-unit threshold sounds like BAD news for housing developers.

But architect Matt Baran explains why it could actually be a good thing. 🏠

Here's the problem with the old minimum density rules.

Imagine a property with an allowable density of 15 homes.

Under the previous framework, a 66% minimum could mean needing approximately 10 homes.

But what if building 10 homes doesn't make financial sense?

What if the market only supports 5 or 6 larger homes?

That's where California's SB 1116 changes become interesting.

Matt explains two important points:

🏠 Properties above the new 15-unit density threshold fall outside the revised SHRA eligibility framework he describes.

📐 Qualifying properties no longer face the same minimum density requirement.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆?

Developers may have more flexibility to build the number of homes that actually makes sense for a qualifying property.

That could help revive projects that previously struggled because of minimum density requirements.

But remember, removing minimum density doesn't remove every other subdivision requirement. Projects still need to satisfy applicable laws and local standards.

Sometimes making housing easier to build isn't about requiring MORE units.

It's about giving developers more practical options.

💬 DM me "SB1116" @kentfaihe to get the full podcast link.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, financial, investment, insurance, or tax advice. It is not an offer or solicitation for any investments. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.

#AffordableHousing #SB1116 #SB1123 #RealEstateDevelopment #MattBaran

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Berkeley used to be a city where developers were warned NOT to build housing.

Now? Matt Baran says it's becoming one of the more pro-housing cities he's working with. 🏠

Here's what changed.

Before:

❌ Housing projects could take 1.5 to 2 years.

❌ Neighbors had significant influence over approvals.

❌ Developers faced major resistance.

Matt even recalls having to sue Berkeley twice over one project.

But then came a political shift.

Matt points to Jesse Arreguín's growing support for housing development and a broader change in the city's approach.

Today:

✅ Berkeley is processing projects faster.

✅ Matt sees stronger support for new housing.

✅ His team is questioning whether it even needs California's SHRA approval timelines.

Think about that.

A city that developers once avoided is now becoming a place where Matt sees real progress.

It raises an important question:

What would happen if more California cities made it easier to build housing?

💬 DM me "SB1116" @kentfaihe to get the full podcast link.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, financial, investment, insurance, or tax advice. It is not an offer or solicitation for any investments. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.

#AffordableHousing #SB1116 #SB1123 #RealEstateDevelopment #MattBaran

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What if your California starter home could be BIGGER without exceeding the square footage limit? 🏠📐

Architect Matt Baran explains an important detail about California's SB 1116 and Starter Home Revitalization Act (SHRA).

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲'𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮.

Here's what Matt explains:

📏 SHRA uses a specific floor area calculation.

🪜 Under Matt's understanding of the changes, stairs would no longer count toward that limit.

🏠 That could give developers more flexibility when designing starter homes.

Why is this important?

Because when you're building on a small lot, every square foot matters.

If certain building areas are excluded from the calculation, developers may have more room to create practical layouts.

But there's an important distinction.

A SHRA floor area calculation is not automatically the same as the square footage you can advertise when selling a home.

Developers should confirm the current rules with the appropriate local agency before designing around these exclusions.

Small details in California housing law can make a big difference in development feasibility.

💬 DM me "SB1116" @kentfaihe to get the full podcast link.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, financial, investment, insurance, or tax advice. It is not an offer or solicitation for any investments. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.

#AffordableHousing #SB1116 #SB1123 #RealEstateDevelopment #MattBaran

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𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀?

It's to help them understand the law. 🏠

Architect Matt Baran shares a change in how he's approaching California housing development.

He used to get frustrated with the obstacles developers faced.

Now, he's trying something different.

𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 instead of 𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘶𝘦.

Matt uses wealthy communities like Atherton as an example.

His thinking?

🏠 Build more homes in neighborhoods with limited housing options.

🏠 Give more households the opportunity to move into those communities.

🏠 Potentially free up existing homes for other buyers and renters.

It's the idea that adding housing supply can create opportunities throughout the housing market.

Of course, building more homes in expensive neighborhoods doesn't automatically make every home affordable.

But Matt believes increasing housing options is part of the solution.

And his approach to cities is changing.

Instead of getting angry, he wants to help local officials understand California's housing laws so they can make informed decisions and help bring more housing to their communities.

Sometimes progress starts with a conversation, not an argument.

💬 DM me "SB1116" @kentfaihe to get the full podcast link.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, financial, investment, insurance, or tax advice. It is not an offer or solicitation for any investments. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.

#AffordableHousing #SB1116 #SB1123 #RealEstateDevelopment #MattBaran

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Why don't California developers just use SB 9 to split their lots? 🏠

If SB 9 can help create up to 4 housing units on a qualifying single-family property, why bother exploring SB 1123?

I asked architect Matt Baran this question on the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast.

He shared 3 reasons.

𝟭. 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

SB 9's owner-occupancy requirements can complicate certain development strategies.

If your goal is to build homes and sell them, those restrictions matter.

𝟮. 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝟰 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀

What if your project calls for 5, 6, 8, or 10 homes?

SB 9 may not provide the subdivision pathway you need.

𝟯. 𝗦𝗕 𝟵 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆-𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

If you're working with multifamily zoning, you'll need to evaluate other development options.

That's why developers should understand the differences between SB 9, SB 1123, and California's Starter Home Revitalization Act.

Just because one law allows lot splits doesn't mean it's the right fit for every project.

💬 DM me "SB1116" @kentfaihe to get the full podcast link.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, financial, investment, insurance, or tax advice. It is not an offer or solicitation for any investments. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.

#AffordableHousing #SB1116 #SB1123 #RealEstateDevelopment #MattBaran

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What if 5 houses could legally count as 10 housing units in California? 🏠

Architect Matt Baran shares a creative strategy he's exploring under California's starter home subdivision laws.

Here's the idea:

🏠 Start with 5 residential lots.

🏗️ Design 5 homes that feel like traditional single-family houses.

🍳 Include a separate bonus space with a kitchenette in each home.

If those spaces qualify as separate dwelling units, each home could potentially be classified as a duplex.

𝟱 𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘀. 𝟱 𝗱𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗲𝘀. 𝟭𝟬 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀.

Why would a developer consider this?

Because minimum density requirements have sometimes forced California developers to squeeze too many small homes onto a property.

Matt's strategy explores whether developers could meet those requirements while creating homes with more practical layouts.

But there's an important catch.

Matt says this specific approach had not been fully tested or vetted when we recorded the episode.

A kitchenette alone doesn't automatically make a space a legal dwelling unit. The design must satisfy applicable requirements and receive the necessary approvals.

Still, it's an interesting example of how developers are thinking creatively about California's housing laws.

💬 DM me "SB1116" @kentfaihe to get the full podcast link.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, financial, investment, insurance, or tax advice. It is not an offer or solicitation for any investments. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.

#AffordableHousing #SB1116 #SB1123 #RealEstateDevelopment #MattBaran

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What if your California R-1 lot already has a house, but you want to build MORE homes? 🏠

That existing house used to create a major problem for certain SB 1123 projects.

Why?

Because the subdivision framework required a vacant lot.

And many properties in California's urban neighborhoods already have homes sitting on them.

Architect Matt Baran explains a potential workaround:

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆.

Here's the idea:

🏠 Keep the existing house.

✂️ Separate it onto a remainder lot.

🏗️ Create a qualifying vacant portion for new housing.

Instead of automatically tearing down the existing home, developers may be able to preserve it while pursuing additional units on the remaining land.

But there's an important catch.

The remainder lot cannot simply be used to serve the new development, and local subdivision requirements still matter.

That's why understanding the difference between SB 684, SB 1123, and the latest SB 1116 changes can be valuable when evaluating California development opportunities.

💬 DM me "SB1116" @kentfaihe to get the full podcast link.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, financial, investment, insurance, or tax advice. It is not an offer or solicitation for any investments. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.

#AffordableHousing #SB1116 #SB1123 #RealEstateDevelopment #MattBaran

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