Unpermitted garage conversion to ADU

[Farzan Setayesh]

Hello. An off market deal has been offered to me. It is a 2 car garage conversion to an ADU without permit. It has been rented for the last 8 year.

How can I get a permit?

Consequences not getting a permit and keep renting?

Cost and the process to get a permit?

Thank you in advance.

[Dan H.]

Quote from @Tom Fidrych:

"Consequences not getting a permit and keep renting?"
In the area of California I live, if the ADU isn't permitted, the tenant can go after you for the entire amount of rent they have paid as well as relocation costs.
Unless you have few assets to lose, you are better off bring the unit to legal status. The local planning department will let you know if and how this can be done.

Can you provide a source?   I believe you are mistaken and will provide my rationale and point to my reference below.  

I had a discussion with a CA State Senator Weinkowski on the intent of the 5 year moratorium for unpermitted safe units that existed prior to the bill (SB13) to get permitted.  He indicated the intent was to prohibit any jurisdiction in the state to remove a safe rental unit for 5 years from the passage of the bill.  I invite you to read SB13 and search for Five (not sure if it is the word five or number 5).  I also expect as the 5 year deadline approaches (and it is approaching as I believe the deadline of this aspect of SB13 is the first day of 2025), a bill will extend this deadline.  

tenants must pay rent even if the unit is not a legal unit.   SB13 implies this.  The CA politicians do not desire the removal of safe units (this implication is also from SB13 that provides 5 years for safe units to become compliant).  Robert Wienkowski (sp?) used the words of bootleg units.  

Note the word “safe”.  If the unit is unsafe then it should not be legal to rent and the jurisdiction can, and should, shut it down.