Accessory Dwelling Units

San Francisco Approves Accessory Dwelling Units

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has approved legislation that will allow the construction of accessory dwelling units, potentially adding thousands of units to the city's housing supply.

July 28, 2016 - San Francisco Examiner

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Digging Into D.C.'s Zoning Code Changes for Accessory Dwelling Units

Washington, D.C. approved a long-awaited new zoning code in January. Greater Greater Washington digs into one of the new code's more substantive changes: more permissive regulations for accessory dwelling units.

May 11, 2016 - Greater Greater Washington

Granny Flats a Symptom of L.A.'s 'Broken' Planning Process

Building permits for Accessory Dwelling Units have been stopped by court order in Los Angeles.

May 1, 2016 - The Planning Report

Maine Communities Increasingly Allow Granny Flats

Many Maine communities have amended their zoning ordinances to allow accessory dwelling units, recognizing the benefits of this housing option.

April 19, 2016 - Maine Association of Planners Front Page

Court Ruling Deals Blows to Granny Flat Permits in Los Angeles

Granny flats, also known as mother-in-law units or accessory dwelling units, are a hot button item in most cities. A county court recently took the city of Los Angeles' finger off the button, so to speak.

April 10, 2016 - KPCC

Construction

Home Builders Creating Space for Nontraditional Households

At a building industry trade show held last week, the new trend was for houses constructed with extra space for renters or extended family. In other words, depreciation comes standard.

January 26, 2016 - The Wall Street Journal

A First Look at Washington, D.C.'s New Zoning Code

The D.C. Zoning Commission last week approved a new zoning code for the nation's capital. The new code will go into effect in September.

January 21, 2016 - WAMU

Case Study: Denver's Accessory Dwelling Units

Since a zoning code change in 2010, the city of Denver has added 66 accessory dwelling units in a city of 650,000.

January 18, 2016 - The Denver Post

Oakland Eases Restrictions on Secondary Housing Units

Following the recent example of cities like Vancouver, Austin, and Berkeley, Oakland, CA recently made it much easier for residents to create secondary units, also known as accessory dwelling units.

January 9, 2016 - East Bay Express

Portland Houses

Portland Updating Regulations for Infill in Single-Family Residential Neighborhoods

Portland is tackling a critical but often controversial issue: how to regulate infill development in residential neighborhoods when growth is pushing landowners and developers to build bigger and denser.

December 26, 2015 - City of Portland

Vancouver Hands Residents the Keys to Granny Flats

Leading other expensive cities in North America, Vancouver, British Columbia is quickly adding accessory dwelling units as a result of permissive regulations approved in 2009.

December 14, 2015 - Citiscope

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Legalize It: Austin Eases Restrictions on Accessory Dwelling Units

Accessory dwelling units, granny flats, mother-in-law units—whatever you call them, they're now legal in Austin.

November 23, 2015 - Community Impact Newspaper

Tiny House

Tiny House Movement Pushing the Boundaries of Traditional Zoning

Tiny Houses on trailers are available and buyers are ready to live small, but most zoning regulations don’t allow recreational vehicles as a permanent residence. Can zoning catch up to the tiny living trend?

July 11, 2015 - The Charlotte Observer

Netherlands Homes

5 Ways to Add Density (High Rises Not Included)

In some cities the idea of adding a high rise is always dead on arrival, even if the city desperately needs to add density. For those communities facing similar challenges, a post on Blooming Rock offers five ways to think outside the high-rise box.

February 8, 2015 - Blooming Rock

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Affordable Accessory Dwelling Units

Prospect Newtown, in Longmont, CO, has seamlessly integrated affordable housing by creating a host of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The ADUs are perfectly blended within the town overall—and actually help contribute to the development’s success.

December 6, 2014 - Build a Better Burb

Washington D.C.'s Zoning Code Update Finally Progressing

Washington D.C.'s long deliberated and closely watched zoning code update is moving forward, and supporters of progressive land use regulations have reason to be encouraged.

October 14, 2014 - Greater Greater Washington

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Study: Portland's Accessory Dwelling Units Reduce Car Impacts

Since Portland began subsidizing accessory dwelling units (ADU) by waiving development fees, construction of ADUs have increased to a pace of more than 100 a year. A new study finds additional benefits in the low impact of ADUs on neighborhoods.

July 17, 2014 - Bike Portland

Six Years Later—More Revisions for Washington D.C.'s Zoning Code Update

None of the original team that began working on Washington D.C.'s zoning code update are still working on the project. Much has changed in the six years that have expired.

June 28, 2014 - Greater Greater Washington

Builders Respond to Desire for Multigenerational Homes

The new American household is much like the old multigenerational household that existed before World War II, recent population trends show. And builders are responding by offering "bonus" and "flex" rooms, while circumventing outdated zoning.

November 30, 2012 - The New York Times

Changing Suburban Demographics Collide With Outdated Zoning Laws

As shifting demographics and the Great Recession increase the functional demands on the typical suburban single-family home, outdated zoning laws are preventing the economical use of underused space, writes S. Mitra Kalita.

July 24, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

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