Amidst the dense housing regulations of Los Angeles, a cozy loophole is creating a clearing of sorts. It’s in this refuge from the tangles of red tape that we find double duplexes, the unlikely champions pushing progress forward in the city’s desperate need for housing. One lot. Two duplexes. And as many as 20 separate bedrooms, often available individually.
What Are Double Duplexes?
The double duplex likely won’t earn any double-takes because the design is often unremarkable. In passing, double duplexes simply appear to be two duplexes sharing a single lot. But within these structures, you’ll usually find four full-fledged homes, each boasting up to five bedrooms. In the South and Central regions of Los Angeles, you can already find them planted unassumingly at the center of modest 50’ x 150’ lots. You just might not realize it unless you’re standing inside.
How Double Duplexes Skate Under the Regulation Radar
In the regulatory eye, double duplexes are simply classified as duplexes, placing them under the California Residential Code (CRC) as opposed to the more heavily restricted California Building Code (CBC). This means a double duplex can be developed far more quickly and affordably than a multi-family building. It also ducks a plethora of development snags that snare more traditional multifamily units, such as parking mandates, because they’re technically under four units. Developers of double duplexes often employ smaller contracting firms with experience in single-family code projects, keeping the price tag manageable.
More Affordability All Around
Developers aren’t the only ones saving with double duplexes. Since tenants can rent by the bedroom, these structures offer a significantly more affordable alternative to one-bedroom and even studio apartments. According to an article published by Mercatus Center, the median monthly savings on a rented room in a double duplex versus a studio apartment is $320.
While this still places the median double duplex room rental price at over the $1,000 markt, it’s still one of the most affordable options available in the Greater Los Angeles area. At this rate, it’s common to find private bathrooms included in the deal, making them an attractive option for the city’s vast student population. But the unique design of these double duplexes, comparable to off-campus housing, also appeals to larger families getting by on tight budgets.
Setbacks of the Double Duplex Design
Double duplexes may not be too good to be true, but they have their fair share of setbacks. For one, qualification under the CRC exempts them from ADA regulations, meaning they don’t need to provide accommodation for tenants with disabilities, for example. The design of the double duplex also frequently boils down to a “more is more” approach, prioritizing the number of bedrooms over comforts and conveniences. In these buildings, storage, privacy, and sometimes even cleanliness are luxuries.
Finally, though double duplexes are exploiting a loophole to move forward on housing development while the city continues to stall progress, they are doing so on land zoned for denser multi-family buildings. And with a maximum of 20 bedrooms, the double duplex is a poor substitute for buildings with more units and higher long-term housing yields.
Can the Double Duplex Change LA’s Housing Situation?
The future of the double duplex is as full of potential as it is unclear. But a lot of what happens rests in the hands of the city’s lawmakers. Could the loophole occupied by double duplexes open wider to accommodate reasonable non-familial cohabitation legislation, carve a niche that bridges single-family homes and multi-family buildings, or even promote forward movement in the development of denser housing construction? Or will the powers slowing housing production exploit the flaws in the double duplex design to deprive the city of even this minute step forward?
With a brand that says as much as JohnHart’s, Senior Copywriter Seth Styles never finds himself at a loss for words. Responsible for maintaining the voice of the company, he spends each day drafting marketing materials, blogs, bios, and agent resources that speak from the company’s collective mind and Hart… errr, heart.
Having spent over a decade in creative roles across a variety of industries, Seth brings with him vast experience in SEO practices, digital marketing, and all manner of professional writing with particular strength in blogging, content creation, and brand building. Gratitude, passion, and sincerity remain core tenets of his unwavering work ethic. The landscape of the industry changes daily, paralleling JohnHart’s efforts to {re}define real estate, but Seth works to maintain the company’s consistent message while offering both agents and clients a new echelon of service.
When not preserving the JohnHart essence in stirring copy, Seth puts his efforts into writing and illustrating an ongoing series entitled The Death of Romance. In addition, he adores spending quality time with his girlfriend and Romeo (his long-haired chihuahua mix), watching ‘70s and ‘80s horror movies, and reading (with a particular penchant for Victorian horror novels and authors Yukio Mishima and Bret Easton Ellis). He also occasionally records music as the vocalist and songwriter for his glam rock band, Peppermint Pumpkin.
