WHAT’S AN ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU)?
In the past, detached dwelling units that offered living space accessory to the main residence were mostly identified as Granny Flats. Typically, Granny Flats offered separate and distinct living space in a compact size in order to host relatives in need of long-term medical care, overnight or extended-stay housing for relatives or friends or short-term rental units to generate income from renting to a tenant. They were equipped with a sleeping area, a kitchen with counter space and small appliances to prepare meals, entertaining area and a bathroom.
This traditional home type is being revived in the form of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). ADU’s are self-contained living spaces with affordable and flexible housing options that provide the same living space benefits as Granny Flats:
- ADU’s are built on a single-family lot as a secondary (Accessory) dwelling unit and cannot be partitioned off and sold separately from the main residence.
- An ADU can provide rental income to the property owner and offer an affordable way for renters (tenants) to live in a single-family dwelling neighborhood.
- ADU’s provide housing options to younger families.
- ADU’s are owned and managed by homeowners living on the premises. Such landlords take an active role in the selection of valued tenants and exhibit a high degree of pride of ownership while maintaining the ADU and it’s contribution to increased property values.
- An ADU can help older homeowners remain on their property and ‘age in place.’
Whether you are looking to expand your living space or provide additional income as an investment rental property, an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) may be the answer to meeting your goal.