Many homeowners are building separate apartments as granny flats for extra income. The Wall Street Journal offers advice for coping with local building and zoning regulations.
"More homeowners are looking at mother-in-law apartments as a way to accommodate the needs of extended family or generate extra income. In-law units are desirable in many urban markets because they create affordable housing for renters, extra income for homeowners who want mortgage help, or long-term guest suites that allow owners with far-flung friends and family to have privacy during visits... City and county attitudes about accessory apartments vary widely throughout the country. Most define accessory units as spaces that include their own entrance, plumbing, kitchens and square footage similar to a studio apartment or apartment. Some municipalities, in an effort to foster affordable housing or prevent sprawl, have loosened regulations on mother-in-law units."
Thanks to Chris Steins
Read the full story: When Adding a Unit, Consider These Factors
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan
Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.
Mamdani sent nearly 6,000 pied-à-terre tax warnings to homes that didn’t qualify
A judge has ordered the administration to cancel thousands of pied-à-terre tax notices after it sent 35% of them erroneously.
Mamdani sent nearly 6,000 pied-à-terre tax warnings to homes that didn’t qualify
A judge has ordered the administration to cancel thousands of pied-à-terre tax notices after it sent 35% of them erroneously.
Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment
Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.
‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan
Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.
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 Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello