A DWELLING THAT ADAPTS

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are separate housing units built on existing single or multifamily residential properties. ADUs are also known as second dwelling units, guest houses, casitas, backyard cottages, mother-in-law units, granny flats, etc. There are many different types of ADUs, including both separate structures located in a back or side yard (detached) and conversions of existing spaces such as basements, attics and garages (attached). For more information, we recommend Kol Peterson's blog at www.buildinganadu.com, or the website accessorydwellings.org.

Thousands of new ADUs are being built in communities across the U.S. because they are a manageable and minimally-disruptive option for adding needed housing to existing neighborhoods. Moreover, ADUs typically cost less than other forms of housing and make efficient use of existing land.

The other factor driving ADU adoption is that they serve so many varying needs that mirror socioeconomic trends in the U.S. ADUs allow for people to age-in-place or form multigenerational households to ease caregiving responsibilities and cost.

Homeowners, given the high cost to buy a house, are frequently turning to ADUs to provide additional income to make ends meet.

Lastly, the appeal of downsizing and minimalist living seems to be growing and ADUs allow people to simplify their lives and still live in a neighborhood setting.

Zoning, regulations and fees vary by municipality, and, increasingly, city zoning codes are being adopted to allow for ADUs across the United States.

The largest cities on the West Coast, including Portland and Seattle, all allow ADUs and continue to update codes and fees to encourage the development of ADUs. In addition, the states of California and Oregon have passed state laws which preempt local prohibitions on ADUs.

Minneapolis, Austin, Atlanta, and parts of Chicago are also changing local zoning to address the needs for housing and to allow ADUs to provide a needed housing type for many. Check with your local municipality zoning board to see if your local zoning allows for accessory dwelling units.

The presence of an ADU can often enhance the attractiveness of a house on the market, and increasingly investments in new ADUs are being reflected in the appraised value of those properties.

Traditional on-site builds are costly, unpredictable and take time to coordinate and sequence the work. Labor costs, unexpected construction hurdles and finicky local and state building codes can turn a building project into a nightmare. That’s why URBANEER partnered with Genesis Homes to create ADUs built off-site as a quality-controlled, efficient and cost-effective approach to building in your back yard.

Built “off-site” means it was built in a  climate and condition-controlled setting, transported, and then reassembled or finished on-site. Our units are built to completion in at partner facilities throughout the United States, transported to your site, and can be installed to a foundation within 48 hours. Off-site construction has the advantage of being significantly faster and more efficient than other construction types. Building off-site allows efficient processes and avoids weather delays, so you can complete your project on schedule.

Many different types of properties will accommodate an ADU, and our range of floor plans and sizes provide you options based on the size of your back yard.