You’ve permitted accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in your community, so now you can sit back and wait for the deluge of permit applications, right? Not so fast. This presentation bursts the ADU bubble by examining limitations on ADU expansion.
When it comes to expanding the availability of housing in a community, residents who don’t like the idea of living next door to apartments often love the idea of ADUs. As a result, many communities have implemented regulations to allow ADUs widely within their jurisdictions. The sad reality is that the ever-popular ADU will actually be very limited in its contribution to solving affordability issues in most communities.
What happens after regulations allow ADUs? What does a property owner need to go through so an ADU can actually be built? This presentation examines various financial impediments and common limitations like utility requirements and zoning regulations. Finally, once an ADU is constructed, who ultimately benefits? Who rents the ADU, and under what terms?
This cautionary tale reminds planners that “allowing it” doesn’t mean “it” will be built. Achieving affordability requires continued effort to expanded missing-middle housing types in communities… including types of housing that neighbors don’t automatically love.
NPC Peer Reviewers assigned this presentation a learning level of Intermediate. For more on learning-level descriptions, visit our General Information Page.
Learning Objectives:
Understand how various financial considerations limit the construction of ADUs.
Consider how other requirements and regulations – including those related to utilities, zoning, and short-term rentals – can constrain availability of ADUs.
Understand why ADUs are a partial solution to expanded housing affordability, and why it is important to include other types of missing-middle housing as well.
