Accessory Dwelling Units

While zoning reforms can help reduce barriers to building more housing, high construction costs and local opposition mean that the state won't see an immediate boom in density.

October 1, 2021 - Slate

The low-slung, car-oriented apartment buildings represent a mid-century solution to a housing shortage and offer valuable lessons for new development.

September 28, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

California's Senate Bill 9 would allow up to four housing units on lots traditionally zoned for single-family homes, paving the way for more 'gentle density.'

August 27, 2021 - The New York Times

Acknowledging the region's dire need for more diverse housing stock, city leaders hope the pre-approved designs, along with necessary zoning reforms, will encourage more construction of 'missing middle housing.'

August 5, 2021 - Greater Greater Washington

Walla Walla's 2018 zoning reforms included adaptive reuse, reduced parking requirements, and more relaxed rules for accessory dwelling units.

August 5, 2021 - The Urbanist

Cities in the region want to increase flexibility for homeowners who want to build 'granny flats' on their property.

July 27, 2021 - Boston Globe

The first month of a three-year pilot program that legalizes the construction and conversion of coach houses—a local form of accessory dwelling unit—is responding to strong demand in Chicago.

June 16, 2021 - Chicago Tribune

Residents in some of the city's single-family neighborhoods worry about the potential impacts of ADU construction on local character and parking.

May 24, 2021 - San Diego Union-Tribune

The city is seeing a rapid loss of its signature two-, three-, and four-flat residential buildings, which historically served as affordable housing for working-class families.

May 20, 2021 - Block Club Chicago

Policies too narrowly focused on design can drive up the cost of construction and prevent the development of affordable housing.

April 20, 2021 - Slate

Less restrictive permit laws and pre-fabricated, pre-approved building options are spurring more homeowners to build backyard additions.

April 9, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

A pair of advocates criticize recent actions to slow zoning revisions in the city of Philadelphia.

March 24, 2021 - WHYY

Los Angeles' ADU Standard Plan Program will offer homeowners a set of pre-approved designs that will save them time and money.

March 8, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

The Washington State legislature will consider a number of bills this session that would alter planning and development in a state grappling with population growth and rising housing costs.

February 4, 2021 - The Urbanist

Advocates have been calling for the New York State Legislature to legalize accessory dwelling units for years. A new law would take the first step.

January 28, 2021 - New York ADU Legislation

A real estate group claims the city has been denying and delaying ADU permits in violation of city and state laws.

January 25, 2021 - San Diego Union-Tribune

The "Atlanta City Design: Housing" initiative is one of the most ambitious planning reform efforts of any large U.S. city, but it's just getting started.

January 20, 2021 - City Monitor

Accessory Dwelling Units continue to gain steam as one approach for increasing affordability, but experts caution that housing affordability requires broader solutions.

January 15, 2021 - The Washington Post

A city of about 40,000 residents across the Puget Sound from Seattle has relaxed zoning regulations to entice more homeowners to build accessory dwelling units.

January 7, 2021 - The Urbanist

Accessory dwelling units, also known as granny flats or mother-in-law units, gained a critical foothold in Denver earlier this month, and the Denver City Council is already maneuvering for more.

November 30, 2020 - The Denver Post