In a carriage house, typically the downstairs remains garage space, then the upper area is transformed into an apartment. A similar concept to a garage conversion is a carriage house loft, often built within a larger garage with high ceilings.
This includes outfitting it with heating and cooling, insulation, as well as adding water for a bathroom and kitchen. A garage conversion turns a preexisting structure into a full-blown living space. An ADU is built in the backyard of an existing home and can be used as a rental, mother-in-law suite, or guest house for friends and family members. Think tiny house, granny pod, or backyard cottage. A long-term rental allows for a steadier stream of income all year long.Īccessory dwelling units refer to a wide range of residences. A short-term vacation rental may bring in higher rates, assuming the area is strong in tourism, but requires more maintenance and upkeep. Depending on local regulations, ADUs may be used as either short-term or long-term rentals. The construction of an ADU requires fewer materials, typically, and living in one often requires less energy to heat and cool the unit. ADUs are small, so both building and living in one puts out a much smaller environmental footprint. It can be a good option for college students or young adults to save money, or for older relatives to age in place with family support nearby. ADUs provide family members with independent living while still living near each other.
Plus, owners don’t need to install utility infrastructure, since it’s already in place and likely just needs to be extended from the main house. They also eliminate the need to pay for additional land. Not only are ADUs smaller and therefore more affordable to build oftentimes, they can also be built in existing spaces like a garage or basement. 4 benefits of ADUsĪDUs offer a solution to the affordable housing crisis, along with a few other benefits. However, as ADUs increase in popularity, there are more local ordinances to regulate this type of housing option. Research shows that by 2019, homes that sold with ADUs on the property accounted for 4.2% of all home sales that year. The rise of ADUs has grown dramatically, especially due to the red hot housing market with high prices and low inventory.
The size typically ranges from 600 to 1,200 square feet.
While an ADU can take a variety of forms, the primary distinguishing factor is that it’s a secondary home on the property with a kitchen and a full bathroom. There’s a lot of flexibility in what makes an ADU, from a converted basement apartment to a free-standing tiny house in the backyard. It can be attached to the primary residence or completely detached. What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?Īn accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a separate residential living space on the same lot as another single-family home. 4 What are the requirements for building ADUs?.1 What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?.