5.2 Auxiliary Dwelling Units - Mark Jurchen

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What ADUs Are — And What They Can Do ADUs are a family-friendly,community-creating type of housing the nation needs more of Although many people have never heard the term,accessory dwelling units have been around for centuries (see page 6) and are identified by many different names.To be clear about what's being discussed: • An ADU is a small residence that shares a single-family lot with a larger,primary dwelling "la-•' '°`'"1""' • As an independent living space,an ADU is self-contained,with its own kitchen or LI kitchenette,bathroom and sleeping area ' ' �#. '*',7 - +- • An ADU can be located within,attached to or detached from the main residence :r V-- . .1- • • An ADU can be converted from an existing structure (such as a garage) or built anew •"! . • ADUs are found in cities,in suburbs and in rural areas,yet are often invisible from view j i because they're positioned behind or are tucked within a larger home ■�s; t4 ,, • Because ADUs are built on single-family lots as a secondary dwelling,they typically cannot ' iw► 4' be partitioned off to be sold separately 0 K • An ADU can enable family members (including family caregivers) to reside on the same __ . property while having their own living spaces A Accessory dwelling units • An ADU can provide housing for a hired caregiver show up in neighborhoods provide rental income to homeowners throughout thcountry— • An ADU can and even in pop culture.One • ADUs are a practical option for tenants seeking small,affordably priced rental housing example:In the sitcom Happy Days,Fonzie(right) • For homeowners looking to downsize,an ADU can be a more appealing option than rents an above-garage moving into an apartment or,if they're older,an age-restricted community ADU from the Cunningham family in 1950s-era • ADUs can help older residents remain independent and"age in place" Milwaukee,Wisconsin. • As an adaptable form of housing,ADUs provide flexible solutions for changing needs. ■ ADUs Are Also Known As ••• • accessory apartment Although most local governments,zoning codes and planners in the United • backyard bungalow States use the term accessory dwelling unit or ADU,these small homes and • basement apartment apartments are known by dozens of other names.The different terms conjure • casita up different images. (Who • carriage house '` �: wouldn't rather live in a • coach house • , .'. ` .' zit .y.� `�. "carriage house"than in an • English basement o `` rev 'IVA lel' ; . accessory or"ancillary"unit?) • garage apartment '111 it Even if you've never heard , granny flat Z of accessory dwelling units • guest cottage S! " • or ADUs,you have likely o ® � ' 1 a ' 1 '}' ` heard of—and perhaps • guest house n know the locations of— • in-law suite o =-, g 1 f IV - 4 - some of the home types • laneway house noted in the list at right. ■ • multi-generational house • ohana unit A Renting out this 350-square-foot garage-conversion ADU in Portland,Oregon,helps the o property owner,who lives in the lot's primary residence,pay her home mortgage. • secondary dwelling unit 2 AARP I The ABCs of ADUs