Accessory Dwelling Units
![Accessory Dwelling Unit](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/adu42637487460_f8a107d928_o.jpg.webp?itok=RCZf2GJx)
ADU Reform Moves Forward in Seattle
A sweeping reform of Seattle's current accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules is currently underway. Proposed legislation sets the stage for an ADU boom to potentially match Vancouver and Portland.
![McMAnsion](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_336438848.jpg.webp?itok=vQWIRzcZ)
Zoning Changes Would Mean More Granny Flats and Fewer McMansions in Seattle
Is this a two-birds-with-one-stone situation?
![Accessory Dwelling Unit](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/adu42637487460_f8a107d928_o.jpg.webp?itok=RCZf2GJx)
How One Town Solved its ADU Regulation Challenges
Against opposition, the town of Durango, Colorado has successfully found a way to permit accessory dwelling units and legalize those that already existed under the radar.
![Accessory Dwelling Unit](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/2276499256_77cc7510d6_z.jpg.webp?itok=4QBAUHhx)
ADU Development Reaches 'Fever Pitch'
Accessory dwelling units, also known as granny flats of mother-in-law units, are gaining popularity all over the country.
![McMAnsion](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_336438848.jpg.webp?itok=vQWIRzcZ)
Accessory Dwelling Units as Mansionization Control
One benefit of more accessory dwelling units (ADUs) could be less mansionization of oversized single-family homes.
![Twin Cities](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_741890836.jpg.webp?itok=l8MIKkBE)
Twin Cities ADU Construction Slow, but Expected
Easing ADU regulations has led to some new construction in the Twin Cities, but the additional units have made a small dent in the area’s affordable housing problem.
![Basement Apartment](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/17181763376_296c2df940_z.jpg.webp?itok=1ytZB_bT)
Hammering Out the Details of New Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulations
As Montgomery County, Maryland considers a new law to allow more development of accessory dwelling units. The devil is in the details.
![Accessory Dwelling Unit](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/2276499256_77cc7510d6_b.jpg.webp?itok=FK8l3eWw)
What a Different Approach to ADUs Could Mean for Chicago
Architect Larry Kearns argues that re-legalizing accessory dwelling units in Chicago could do a lot to promote affordable housing and economic diversity.
![Tacoma Washington](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/2048px-Tacoma_WA_aerial.jpg.webp?itok=ag1il728)
Accessory Dwelling Units Find Public Support in Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma, Washington, a city of over 200,000 residents in the Pacific Northwest, is making room for more.
![Basement Apartment](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/17181763376_296c2df940_z.jpg.webp?itok=1ytZB_bT)
ADU Results Fall Short of Intentions in D.C. Region
Accessory dwelling unit regulations vary but results are consistently underwhelming in the D.C. region.
![Single-Family Neighborhood](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_549342301.jpg.webp?itok=JRECW3n4)
Accessory Dwelling Unit Legislation Proposed in Washington Sets a New Standard
If it approves HB 1797, Washington will pace the rest of the nation (even California and Oregon) on reforming zoning to allow more accessory dwelling units.
![Accessory Dwelling Unit](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/2234245565_45c1240496_o.jpg.webp?itok=4z-s361z)
ADU Construction Still Difficult in California
Accessory dwelling units should be easier to build in California, but the process is still slow and complicated in many cities, say housing advocates.
![Philadelphia Rowhouses](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/19776470182_0307a8dd2c_k.jpg.webp?itok=NHtHjp9z)
Philadelphia Unlikely to Follow Minneapolis' Lead in Zoning Reform
Minneapolis is setting a bold example by ending single-family zoning, but chances are a similar change won’t be coming to Philadelphia.
![Utah](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_126916259.jpg.webp?itok=n2IVxqYC)
Legislation Would Loosen Zoning for TOD and ADUs, Require Housing Plans From Cities in Utah
State preemption, in the form major zoning reforms and mandates for local housing targets, are on the table in the Utah Legislature this year.
![Accessory Dwelling Unit](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/524371611_59f2c7402a_z.jpg.webp?itok=hF4K-Gnq)
Coach House: Legalize It?
Advocates in the city of Chicago are pushing to legalize Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), which currently can only be rented if grandfathered in.
![Atlanta Street](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/6120672450_82d81bd285_b.jpg.webp?itok=QyVtGbjK)
Zoning Changes May Be Coming to Atlanta
The city is considering zoning updates, including legalization of accessory dwelling units and smaller apartment buildings, which would increase density and provide more housing.
![Washington](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1151334662.jpg.webp?itok=3fGDl_om)
Suburbs Encouraging Accessory Dwelling Units
Renton, a suburb of Seattle dealing with skyrocketing housing prices like many of the communities in the region, is allowing new density in residential neighborhoods in the form of backyard cottages.
![Wood Construction](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_638169046.jpg.webp?itok=jB2-aU15)
Airbnb Getting Into the Housing Business
Correction: Airbnb is diversifying its housing business.
![Residential Development](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_1148682761.jpg.webp?itok=-yCw6Ooq)
Citing Lack of ADU Development, Ann Arbor to Refine its ADU Ordinance
After legalizing accessory dwelling units in 2016, the city of Ann Arbor hasn't added many accessory dwelling units. Some regulations designed to limit the number of ADUs developed have made the building type impossibly cost prohibitive.
![Accessory Dwelling Unit](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/2276499256_77cc7510d6_z.jpg.webp?itok=4QBAUHhx)
Granny Flats Take on the Los Angeles Homelessness Crisis
A program financed by Bloomberg Philanthropies will pay homeowners to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and rent them to the recently homeless.
Pagination
Placer County
City of Morganton
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Dongguan Binhaiwan Bay Area Management Committee
City of Waukesha, WI
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Indiana Borough
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.