ADUs & Guest Houses

ADUs and Guest Houses Made Clear

An accessory dwelling unit, often called an ADU, can add living space for family, guests or tenants without a second lot. The idea is appealing, but the path is full of terms and choices: detached or attached, garage conversion or new build, separate utilities or shared ones. Rules about size, setbacks, parking and owner occupancy differ widely from one town to the next, and misreading them can stall a project for months.

The guides here break the process into understandable steps. You can learn how the main ADU types differ, what to ask your local planning department, how to think about privacy and access, and how to prepare a clear brief for a designer or builder. Because permits, utility connections and structural work are regulated, this topic repeatedly points you to official local sources and licensed professionals so that your plans match what your area actually allows.