Accessory dwelling units, also known as granny flats of mother-in-law units, are gaining popularity all over the country.
Carey L. Biron surveys the regulatory and market scene and finds widespread interest in accessory dwelling units—from Washington, D.C. to nearby Montgomery County to the West Cost.
Biron describes California as the leader in ADUs, after approving a statewide law in 2017 that legalized the development type all over state.
Biron also notes that some housing advocates and city officials "see granny flats as an opportunity to help low-income communities resist gentrification," citing Denver to highlight the work of West Denver Renaissance Collaborative toward those ends.
Read the full story: Cities' interest in granny flats at 'fever pitch' amid U.S. housing crisis
New Idaho laws promote 'starter homes' with lots as small as 1,400 square feet
New bills require local governments to allow ADUs and higher-density development.
What do the Gilmore Girls, Happy Days, and Full House have in common? ADUs.
American sitcoms are full of garage apartments, attic rooms, and pool houses. Why aren't our cities?
Florida Senate Advances Law Allowing ADUs in All Residential Zones
The law would legalize ‘granny flats’ by-right in single-family zoned neighborhoods.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
California city breaks ground on transit connector
The project includes three mobility hubs and a pedestrian bridge.
After public outcry, Massachusetts city releases housing development tracker
Cambridge’s tracker currently shows 250 housing projects in various stages of development.
40 years after approval, Chicago breaks ground on new park
The park honors Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the city’s first permanent non-native settler.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority