Accessory Dwelling Units, ADUs for short, refer to a second home on a property that already has a main house. Typically these are smaller than the main home and are detached structures located in the backyard. However, they can also be internal ADUs adding an apartment within the main structure. For instance, you could convert a basement into a separate apartment or renovate an attached garage into a new living unit.
Most often ADUs are built by homeowners who want to add a unit to their property to earn rental income, use as a guesthouse, or for a relative to live. People also build these for themselves in order to downsize and allow them to rent out the larger main home. With the growing popularity of ADUs around Portland and across the country, many new houses are being built with ADUs as part of the development. We see many new homes include basement ADUs as part of the selling point for new homeowners.
Portland has grown into one of the most popular markets for Accessory Dwelling Units. With recent changes in state and local laws, ADUs are now permitted on any residential property. And the city of Portland has seen applications for accessory dwelling units skyrocket over the past few years. We foresee this trend growing further as housing prices increase and limitations loosen even further. In the summer of 2021 Portland will allow multiple ADUs per property which should contribute to even more of these housing types being built.
ADUs are a great way to increase the value of your property and earn additional income by renting one out. The extra revenue can help you pay off your mortgage faster, afford a larger house or a home in a more desirable area, or just give you extra money to live more comfortably or take a nicer vacation.
As well as being a great investment for most homeowners, ADUs also are great assets for our communities. Housing costs continue to rise, often outpacing increases in income. More an more people are searching for housing opportunities that are affordable and are in desireable urban neighborhoods. Accessory Dwelling Units are a great way to address these issues. They add new housing while maintaining neighborhood character. They increase density while being sensitive to the surroundings, and the new residents also contribute to the local economy, boosting small businesses. And with the additional residents, cities get additional revenue to provide services like better public transit. They really are a win-win for everyone.
To summarize, Accessory Dwelling Units can provide rental income, an increase in property values, housing for family members, and on a neighborhood scale they create desirable growth without needing to add new infrastructure, while providing affordable homes. The new residents also will benefit the local cafes, restaurants, and shops - a boon to local businesses.
I have led the design effort on over 60 ADUs to date, with a focus on developing beautiful solutions for these project types while incorporating sustainable design strategies. I’ve developed an expertise in these projects because I believe in their ability to positively impact our communities.
Thousands of Portland residents have already added an ADU to their property, to take advantage of some of the benefits described above. I anticipate that this trend will continue to grow considering that Portland will soon allow multiple ADUs per property. It makes sense that many people who already have detached ADUs in their backyard will now consider adding another in their basement, or housing developers may create new developments with basement units and detached ADUs as a new product as the market starts demanding homes that have built-in revenue streams.
I am excited to see how this market shifts and grows over the coming years. My goal is to help guide people through the process of adding ADUs to their properties - creating beautiful and sustainable designs that are environmentally, socially, and economically responsible investments.
If you are interested in learning more about accessory dwelling units, or have questions about an ADU project you are considering, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are always willing to discuss your goals and ideas and offer advice or design services to help you achieve your vision.
The Namaste ADU in SE Portland was designed as a modern home that opens to a Japanese inspired garden.
This ADU in NE Portland is a 2-bedroom apartment perched over a 2-car garage. The design aimed for a balance between the traditional craftsman style homes in the neighborhood with a contemporary feel.
A compact layout allows the ADU to be tucked back into the landscape, preserving private outdoor spaces for both the main house and accessory dwelling unit.
You can learn more about Portland ADUs and the Permitting Process here:
https://www.portland.gov/bds/adu-permits
ADUs have different names depending on where you live. We have also hear the following names used interchangeably:
Alley Apartments, Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit, DADU, Accessory Apartment, Accessory Suite, Ancillary Unit, Backyard Cottages, Basement Apartments, Carriage Houses, Garden Cottages, Garden Suites, Granny Cottages, Granny Flats, Granny Pads, Granny Units, Guest Suites, Home within a Home, In-Law Suite, In-Law Unit, JADUs, Junior Accessory Dwelling Units, Laneway Houses, Laneway Suites, Mother-In-Law Flats, Multigenerational Homes, Next Gen Units. SDUs, Secondary Dwelling Units, Secondary Suites, HGTV has popularized Tiny Houses although that often means small homes on wheels which aren’t really what ADUs are. In Hawaii they have Ohana Units (and by the way, we would LOVE to do a project in Hawaii).