Accessory Dwelling Units Are Making a Comeback

In case you aren't familiar with ADUs, they are a second, small living area on the same property as your main, single-family home. They are not a new idea. You may already be familiar with some ADU styles, such as carriage houses, over-the-garage apartments and mother-in-law units. ADUs are an environmentally friendly solution to housing needs. Many municipalities have already adopted zoning laws to make it easier for homeowners to build ADUs on their existing property. It may be a good idea to check with your town's building department for specifics about building these in your community. It's encouraging to know that municipalities across the country have been relaxing their restrictions in favor of allowing ADUs.

ADUs come in a variety of sizes and shapes to meet your individual needs. There are ADUs that attach to your main residence along the side or rear of the home. Similarly, there are upper-level additions that can be accessed through an interior staircase. A lower-level ADU can be created in your home's existing basement. An over-the-garage apartment can be reached through an exterior side entrance or from inside the garage itself. (Those of you old enough to have seen the TV series "Happy Days" will remember that The Fonz lived in an over-the-garage apartment with an exterior side entrance.)

Here are some situations where constructing an ADU on your property might work well:

Empty nesters may find their current residence is just too big for a one-to-two-person household, but having established themselves in the neighborhood, they may not want to move. For them, building an ADU will allow them to rent out the larger home while living in the ADU so they can remain in the community.
Families with children may need an extra pair of hands to help with raising the kids. An ADU fits the bill for housing a nanny, an au pair or a grandparent. Additionally, as grandparents age, they themselves may need to be cared for. An ADU already on the premises is the perfect solution.

An ADU is a good solution for housing a family member who may have a disability or needs assistance with day-to-day living. This solution allows the family member to remain close to loved ones while maintaining independence for as long as possible. This is a more affordable alternative to placing the family member in a facility.
Home-based workers can welcome the extra space afforded by an ADU. They can set up a home office just far enough away from the main home to be able to focus on their work.

Other uses for an ADU include serving as a guest house, a temporary home in case of an emergency or a renovation, or a residence for a recent college graduate who is not yet financially independent.

There are many reasons to consider adding an ADU on your property, including taking care of family members, earning rental income or creating a home office. Contact us for more ideas on how an ADU can be a welcome addition to your home life.

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