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Accessory Dwelling Unit Policy Discussion City Council Review; 2-1-22 Page 2 Given the above and the fact that “Housing” was identified as the primary need in the City according to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, this appeared to be an appropriate time to get Council’s direction on whether ADU’s are an item that staff should address, and if so, within what time frame WHAT ARE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADUs)? An Accessory Dwelling Unit is a self-contained residential unit with its own living room, kitchen, and bathroom located on the same parcel as a traditional sized single-family dwelling. Other names you may know ADUs by include carriage or coach houses, accessory apartments, garden apartments, mother-in-law suites, granny flats, backyard cottages, and secondary dwelling units. ARE ADU’s THE SAME THINGS AS MOBILE HOMES? No. ADU’s must be built to residential building standards unlike the traditional manufactured homes you typically see in a manufactured home park. WHERE ARE ADU’s LOCATED? Every City that allows ADUs must make decisions on what an appropriate ADU looks like in their jurisdiction. If the space has a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and its own entrance, it could be considered an ADU. That means ADUs could be an attic space, in a garage (attached or detached), attached to the primary home, or in an accessory structure away from the primary home. Minimum and maximum size standards are generally established to ensure an ADU is secondary to and blends with the principal dwelling on a lot. WHO OWNS ADU’s? That is a policy decision that differs from City to City. One unit (typically) must be owner-occupied, and sometimes the ownership of the ADU must match ownership of the primary home. Other Cities allow for separate ownership which can be an important component to wealth-building for populations most in need of the ADU option for housing opportunities. WHY DO COMMUNITIES ALLOW ADU’s? Typically cited reasons for Cities adopting ordinances allowing ADUs include:  Increasing the community’s housing supply. When housing is identified as a need, one of the easiest solutions is to allow more units on already established lots.  Way to create an affordable housing option for many low- and moderate-income residents.  Provides an economical avenue for elderly and/or disabled persons to live close to family members or caregivers.  Provides economical housing for young adults just entering the workforce.