Homeowner guides

The 100-foot rule, the zones around your house, where the new Zone 0 rules stand, selling in a fire zone, and home hardening basics, with local fire agency links.

State landscape water rules, what an HOA can’t ban, and links to turf and irrigation rebate programs from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo County.

Safety, drying out within 24–48 hours, the 10 square foot mold rule, what to throw away, and how to handle your insurance claim.

Where alarms go, why a permitted remodel can mean new alarms for the whole house, hardwired or battery, and the rules for sellers and landlords.

What makes a space an ADU, and how renting, selling, size limits, fees, permits and property tax differ from a room addition.

Repair or replace, reroof permits, Class A fire ratings in fire hazard zones, and the roofing license (C-39) to look for.

Preliminary notices, the four lien release forms, joint checks, the notice of completion and the deadlines that end lien rights.

When a license is required, how to check it, bids and references, what the contract must include, the down payment limit and your right to cancel.

Parking, setbacks, size, fire sprinklers, fees, permit timing and property tax when you turn an attached or detached garage into an ADU or JADU.

Who pays for a shared fence under Civil Code 841, what the 30-day notice must include, local permit examples, and calling 811 before digging.

Steel frame or wood posts, and the agricultural building exemption in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties: size, use, zoning, setbacks and what still needs a permit.

What a brace-and-bolt retrofit is, whether Central Coast ZIP codes qualify for the grant, who can do the work, what not to do before you’re accepted, and the insurance discount.

What California requires, real exemption examples from the City of Santa Barbara and SLO County (decks, fences, walls, sheds), and where to ask.

Thickness, joints, curing, drainage, reinforcement, finish, permits and licensing: the questions to ask before a driveway or patio is poured.

Sizes, setbacks, height, parking, the 60-day permit rule, impact fees, renting and selling, and the Coastal Zone, with local planning links.