Accessory Dwelling Units

A map of zoning codes in the Michigan city of Traverse City.

ADUs, Minimum Lot Sizes, and Quadplexes Under Discussion in Traverse City

Zoning changes for everything from housing density to minimum lot sizes are under consideration for a city on the shores of Lake Michigan.

August 29, 2023 - The Ticker

Apartment building under construction with other new apartment buildings and taller glass office towers in background in Dallas, Texas

New Research Builds Evidence for Zoning Reform

Cityscape has published a collection of new research building support for zoning reforms as a tool for mitigating the effects of the housing affordability crisis.

August 29, 2023 - Forbes

A sign announces the Kingston, New York Historic District

Kingston, New York Goes 100 Percent Form-Based for its New Code

Kingston recently adopted a form-based code, taking the rare step to entirely replace its old zoning code with form-based standards while also repealing parking requirements and allowing accessory dwelling units and missing middle housing.

August 16, 2023 - Times Union

A tiny home in a residential neighborhood.

What Happened to the Tiny Homes Revolution?

Tiny homes were one of the hot button topics of the previous decade. In 2023? Not so much.

August 14, 2023 - Grist

Two-story houses on tree-lined street in Richmond, Virginia

Richmond Poised to Make ADUs By-Right

A new ordinance would reduce costs and delays for building or converting accessory dwelling units in single-family neighborhoods.

July 18, 2023 - Greater Greater Washington

Small gray backyard cottage with glass door and bike sitting in front of it

ADU Demand Grows Across the West Coast

In communities from California to Washington, permit applications for accessory dwelling units outpace the ability of permitting and construction to keep pace.

July 14, 2023 - Cottage ADU

Holy Cross Immaculata Church sits atop Mt Adams in Cincinnati, as seen from across the Ohio River in Kentucky.

Cincinnati First City in Ohio to Legalize Accessory Dwelling Units

The Queen City achieved an historic day for planning in the state of Ohio.

June 28, 2023 - WVXU

Close-up of row of colorful townhouses with triangular roofs

Are Americans YIMBYs or NIMBYs? Some of Each.

A recent Zillow survey eviscerates a few myths about public opinion on housing issues, but also shows that public opinion is divided.

June 26, 2023 - Michael Lewyn

Rendering of shipping container-like ADU unit pre-approved by the city of Los Angeles

Should ADUs Count as Affordable Housing?

Without regulations or monitoring systems to ensure accessory dwelling units are rented at affordable rates, citing ADU construction toward affordable housing goals is a disingenuous way to avoid building multi-family housing.

June 21, 2023 - The Real Deal

Aerial view of Colorado state capitol in Denver, Colorado

What Caused the Failure of Zoning Reform in Colorado?

Land use reform bills that gained bipartisan support in the Montana legislature were strongly opposed by Colorado Republicans.

June 14, 2023 - The Colorado Sun

Wood-frame two-story housing under construction

Opinion: Failed Housing Bills Could Signal California-Style Housing Crisis in Texas

Legislators in a state that so often touts its policies as the opposite of California’s defeated several bills that would have made housing construction easier, leading to concerns that a constricted housing market may exacerbate the housing crisis.

June 8, 2023 - The Dallas Morning News

Denver City Hall building with green lawn and red flowers in front, Denver, Colorado

Denver Makes ADU Rules More Flexible

The city hopes adjusting its regulations for accessory dwelling units will make the process more affordable for residents and help ease the city’s housing crunch.

June 7, 2023 - Denverite

A spraling subdivision of single-family detached housing in a desert setting.

Albuquerque Poised to Legalize Accessory Dwelling Units

Allowing ADU construction on parcels previously zoned exclusively for single-family detached housing is one component of the Housing Forward ABQ initiative, a larger effort to reform zoning practices in Albuquerque.

June 6, 2023 - Albuquerque Journal

Small grey accessory dwelling unit cottage in California backyard

California Sees Spike in ADU Permits

Homeowners in the state are eagerly taking advantage of new laws allowing them to build additional housing units, making a small but significant impact on the housing supply.

May 29, 2023 - The Washington Post

Aerial view of Missoula, Montana

Montana Governor Signs Zoning Reform Bills

Four bills that target housing production promise to streamline permitting processes, reform ADU regulations, and loosen zoning restrictions in commercially zoned areas.

May 24, 2023 - The Missoulian

Colorado State Capitol Building

Landmark Land Use Bill Fails in Colorado Legislature

Colorado Governor Jared Polis’s effort to allow for more housing construction by preempting local control of zoning failed to achieve the required level of political support in the state legislature.

May 11, 2023 - CPR News

California Houses

California Growth Report: Housing Up, Population Down

Good and bad news can be found in the most recent demographic report from the California Department of Finance. The population dropped by nearly 140,000 last year while housing grew at the highest rate in 14 years.

May 4, 2023 - San Francisco Chronicle

Texas Capitol Building

Bill Legalizing ADUs Passes Texas Senate

If passed by the full state legislature, the bill would eliminate local restrictions on ‘mother-in-law’ units.

May 1, 2023 - FOX 4 News

Colorado

Fort Collins Code Update Rescinded Due to ADU Opposition

It’s back to the drawing board for a development code update in Fort Collins, Colorado, after residents revolted against zoning reforms that include by-right development of accessory dwelling units.

April 7, 2023 - The Coloradoan

Dark grey two-story accessory dwelling unit in backyard

Op-Ed: How ADUs Can Ease the Housing Crunch

With the right policies in place, basement apartments, converted garages, and backyard cottages can create a significant number of affordable housing units.

April 4, 2023 - Governing

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