What is an ADU?
An accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a legal regulatory term for a secondary house or apartment that shares a building lot with a larger, primary home.
Also Known As a Mother-in-Law Suite, FROG (For Rent Over Garage), Guest House, Secondary Structure, Granny Flat, Carriage House, Basement Apartment, etc.
The regulations allowing ADUs are complicated, but I specialize in these kinds of projects. ADUs have to be properly placed and sized to meet base zoning requirements. Overlay regulations, regulations that “overlay” or are additional to the base zoning such as historic or urban design districts, may also have to be met.
An improperly designed ADU can result in costly fines and Halt Work Orders by public officials. Halt Work Orders can be particularly costly if an owner has refinanced the property to pay for the work. In some cases, fixing improperly completed work can be impossible resulting in a complete loss of value.
In addition to legal reasons, designing a custom building complementing your existing structure is tricky. While builders are experts in construction, they aren’t trained in design; as any real estate agent will tell you, curb appeal affects the value of your home. Plus, there’s the simple pleasure you get from living with something that is smartly and beautifully designed. Let’s get working on your ADU!
