The city of Malibu is taking a family to the state supreme court to stop them from building a tiny home in their backyard for their elderly parent

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California policymakers have done a lot to make building a backyard tiny-home easier than ever before. That's because accessory dwelling units — smaller, extra homes on existing lots, also known as "granny flats" — are a good way to add density to residential neighborhoods full of single-family homes.