By selecting one of these ADUs, you can have confidence that your project will receive streamlined approval. Essentially, this designation provides homeowners with the ability to select plans and designs that the City Council has already vetted. Increasing the size limit to 1,000 square feet for a detached ADU (note that if you build your ADU over your garage, the space over your garage does not count towards this limit)Īdditionally, this legislation introduces the novel concept of a “pre-approved” ADU.No longer requiring off-street parking for an ADU (as Seattleites know, having extra parking for an ADU is a challenging requirement to meet).Not requiring owners to live in the primary residence to build and have an ADU.Allowing up to two ADUs on one lot (2 AADU’s or an AADU and a DADU).In July 2019, Seattle City Council, led by Mayor Jenny Durkan, passed reforms for ADU laws, which took effect on August 8, 2019. Many jurisdictions, including California, have relaxed laws on ADUs for these same reasons. If people put ADUs in their back yard and rent them out, it becomes an income stream for the homeowner, extra space for someone who wants to move to Seattle (and there are a lot of people who want to do that), and additional revenue for the city. Homeowners may want to add an ADU/DADU to their property for a variety of reasons. DADUs are only allowed in the backyard, not the front. A Detached Acessory Dwelling Unit (DADU), as you might guess, is disconnected, and it is a separate home located on the same lot. For example, some people use these to care for aging parents. These are often self-sufficient suites meant for relatives to stay and have privacy, but not have the structure detached. The most common are basement apartment units. They also have separate heating, cooling (if necessary), plumbing, and electricity.Īn Attached Accessory Dwelling Unit (AADU) is attached to the main home, usually above or below. These units have a working kitchen, restroom, living space, and a bedroom (or, in the case of a studio floor plan, the bedroom is not distinct). These are separate and fully self-sufficient units. That is why many people call them “backyard cottages.” An ADU is like a tiny home for your back yard. Related Article: Seattle Aims to Ease Building of Backyard Cottages What Is an ADU/DADU?ĪDU/DADU sounds like a complicated term, but it’s actually quite simple. If you have a home in Seattle and want to know more about ADUs, including whether your property is eligible, read on. Proponents of loosening these regulations believe that encouraging homeowners to build ADUs will help increase affordable housing and rental units within the city. Backyard cottages, as people affectionately call them, provide more density for the Seattle housing market without tearing old houses down. In 2019, Mayor Jenny Durkan and Seattle City Council passed legislation that included some new rules that made it easier to build ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)/DADUs (Detached ADU.
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