What are Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)?
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are small dwellings that are separate from a single-family home but share the same property. Tiny houses, granny flats, carriage houses, and in-law apartments are all options. There are attached ADUs, or units that are attached to the main house, and detached ADUs, or units that are not attached to the main house. An ADU can be a separate structure, a basement addition, or even a garage apartment.
Benefits of Accessory Dwelling Units
Accessory dwelling units offer a variety of benefits to communities. They help increase a community’s housing supply, and since they cost less than a new single-family home on a separate lot, they are an affordable housing option for many low- and moderate-income residents. Elderly and/or disabled persons who may want to live close to family members or caregivers, empty nesters, and young adults just entering the workforce find ADUs convenient and affordable. In addition to increasing the supply of affordable housing, ADUs benefit homeowners by providing extra income that can assist in mitigating increases in the cost of living. Accessory dwelling units have other advantages as well. They can be designed to blend in with the surrounding architecture, maintaining compatibility with established neighborhoods and preserving community character. Furthermore, there is no need to develop new infrastructure, since ADUs can be connected to the existing utilities of a primary dwelling. Allowing ADUs facilitates efficient use of existing housing stock, helps meet the demand for housing, and offers an alternative to major zoning changes that can significantly alter neighborhoods.
