What are accessory dwelling units (ADUs)?
What are the benefits of ADUs?
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What are accessory dwelling units (ADUs)?
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU): a secondary residence on a single property. It’s essentially an independent apartment either detached or attached to a single-family house. This also includes attic or basement apartments.
These dwellings take on many different names:
- accessory dwelling units or ADUs (the common term used by architects and planners)
- backyard cottages
- accessory apartments
- backyard dwellings
- secondary dwelling unit
- granny flats
- in-law apartments
- mother-in-law flat
- backyard apartments
- garage apartments
- basement apartments
- carriage house
- garden suite
- laneway house
- alley apartment
- multi-generational living
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Common renters/inhabitants of ADUs:
- students
- young professionals
- newly weds
- older children/teens
- grandparents
- in-laws
- other family or friends
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What are the benefits of ADUs?
There are many benefits of ADUs associated directly to the owner, the renter, and the greater community.
Benefits to the Owner:
- creates a sustainable housing life-cycle (see diagram above)
- provides flexibility in housing options
- improves social health
- offers a secondary source of income
Benefits to the Renter:
- provides affordable housing options
- increases access to downtown amenities (restaurants, bars, museums, parks)
- creates opportunities to live close to family, friends, jobs, and universities
Benefits to the Community:
- promotes diversity in age, class and ethnicity
- increases density while minimizing sprawl
- provides more affordable housing options
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