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
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The nation’s largest home builder could receive approval for a 530-unit development under an obscure state law as the city of La Habra’s zoning laws hang in limbo after the state rejected its proposed housing plan.
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