Many Maine communities have amended their zoning ordinances to allow accessory dwelling units, recognizing the benefits of this housing option.
Accessory apartments, or "granny flats" provide many benefits to communities—offering affordable housing, bolstering neighborhood stability, and making efficient use of existing housing.
Lynne Seeley reviews accessory apartment ordinances in Maine, highlighting key elements for a community to consider in an accessory dwelling unit provision, such as:
- Occupancy
- Size limits
- Attached or detached units
- Parking spaces and location
- Design standards
In addition to a strong and well-thought out ordinance, community outreach and engagement is important for educating the public and facilitating the process of finding people who would benefit from adding an accessory unit to their home.
Read the full story: Accessory Apartments: An Affordable Housing Strategy
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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