Granny Flats
What do the Gilmore Girls, Happy Days, and Full House have in common? ADUs.
American sitcoms are full of garage apartments, attic rooms, and pool houses. Why aren't our cities?
NYC’s ‘ADU for You’ Initiative Offers Pre-approved Plans and Financing Tools
The project pairs pre-approved plans with financing and other tools to help more homeowners build accessory units.
Florida Senate Advances Law Allowing ADUs in All Residential Zones
The law would legalize ‘granny flats’ by-right in single-family zoned neighborhoods.
Massachusetts Zoning Reform Sparks ADU Surge
A 2024 law and a 2025 assistance program have spurred a flurry of ADU projects across the state.
Maine Forces Cities to Allow at Least 2 ADUs on Residential Lots
A new state law bars local jurisdictions from restricting ADUs in residential areas.
Chicago ADU Law Gives Alderpeople Veto Power
After years of debate, the city approved an ordinance that legalizes ADUs in some neighborhoods, but gives alderpeople the power to restrict them in single-family zones.
Grand Rapids Mayor Proposes Garage Conversion Plan
The mayor says allowing homeowners to convert garages to dwelling units could alleviate the city’s housing shortage.
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Berkeley Launches ADU Amnesty Program
Owners of unpermitted accessory dwelling units can bring their units up to code and obtain certificates of compliance without facing penalties.
How Cities Can Support ADU Production
Although state-level laws are making it easier for homeowners to build accessory dwelling units, high impact and development fees remain a major barrier for many prospective ADU builders.
How Hawaii Can Make the Most of its ADU Law
The state recently legalized accessory dwelling units in residential districts, but there’s more state lawmakers can do to reduce other hurdles to large-scale ADU production.
Cincinnati ADU Legalization Slow to Catch On
Only four permits have been filed since the city made ‘granny flats’ legal last year.
San Diego Sees Continued Growth in ADU Permits
Recent changes to regulations have made it easier and more affordable for homeowners to build ‘granny flats,’ and San Diego’s housing stock is benefiting.
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.
Salem, Oregon Offers Pre-Approved ADU Plans
The city hopes the free plans will streamline the permitting process for homeowners and help spur more housing construction.
Creating Affordable Housing is a Priority for ADU Owners
How accessory dwelling units can benefit homeowners and renters alike.
Austin Could Legalize Tiny Homes, RVs as ADUs
Expanding the types of homes eligible as accessory dwelling units could help more homeowners afford the construction costs.
ADU Permits Spike in Sacramento County
Backyard cottages, known as accessory dwelling units, are touted as one solution to the rising cost of housing.
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.
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
