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.
FULL STORY: Accessory Apartments: An Affordable Housing Strategy
How ADUs Can Help Ease the Affordable Housing Crisis
Local policies and programs can encourage homeowner participation and increase the number of ADUs available as low-cost rentals.
Reno Revisits Zoning Reform
After roundly rejecting a proposal to legalize granny flats in 2018, the city council is revising it and other zoning reform proposals that could increase the city’s affordable housing supply.
Creating Affordable Housing is a Priority for ADU Owners
How accessory dwelling units can benefit homeowners and renters alike.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Pedestrian Deaths Drop, Remain Twice as High as in 2009
Fatalities declined by 4 percent in 2024, but the U.S. is still nowhere close to ‘Vision Zero.’
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie