Cincinnati ADU Legalization Slow to Catch On

Months after Cincinnati legalized accessory dwelling units (ADUs), only four permit applications for ADUs have been filed, writes Killian Baarlaer in the Cincinnati Enquirer. However, city officials are hopeful that more homeowners will take advantage of the program as it becomes more widely known and its benefits become more clear.

According to city council member Mark Jeffreys, ADUs, while not a silver bullet, can make an impact on the housing shortage, create opportunities for older adults to ‘age in place,’ and let homeowners earn extra income. “A 2022 study by the National Low Income Housing Coalition found that Cincinnati needs to add 49,510 rental units that are affordable to extremely low-income families to meet demand.”

To address concerns about rampant short-term rentals (STRs) and out-of-town investors buying up homes, the ordinance mandates “the land owner or a ‘responsible person’ who is designated by the owner to live in one of the dwellings and manage the lot.” The ordinance does not prohibit STRs or contain a minimum lease term, a sticking point for some opponents.