A BRIEF HISTORY OF ADDITIONAL DWELLING UNITS
Early in the 20th century America, tiny homes associated with single-family homes were common. During World War II, with booming employment and lack of housing in some areas, small living spaces inside or near homes were typical. However, the popularity of the expansive suburbs of the 1950s and 1960s caused many city officials to frown on these wee homes.
The Bay Area of California was one place tiny homes took hold during that war. Even after city officials were not so welcoming, there were still 20,000 to 30,000 in that area by 1960. Ninety percent of these units had been built illegally. Though some local governments were friendly to what we now call ADUs, in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, the numbers of these homes did not increase much. Today, however, with the shortage of affordable housing and concerns about the environment on the rise, ADUs have renewed life in some places, including Central Oregon.
Detached ADUs increase the value of a property the most because the living area of a property expands. They also afford a lot of privacy. Units of the attached type offer the second-best return on investment. They offer less privacy than the detached home. A garage conversion increases the property value, but not as much as the first two. By taking a garage out of service, the space to store a car or household items or to use as a workspace is lost. Converting a detached garage is usually more profitable than converting an attached one because there is more privacy.
Legally, the owners of these dwellings own them along with their homes. They cannot buy or sell either separately. The number of municipalities that allow accessory dwelling units in only single-family homes has increased, and Central Oregon is no different.
As a homeowner, you must follow the local zoning laws that govern ADUs, and there can be many rules. Hiring a contractor like Complements Home Interiors is a great way to save time in dealing with permits and the local government.
The broad categories for types of Accessory Dwelling Units are detached, attached, and garage conversion. Here are common types and variations, although the list is not exhaustive.
Detached – the addition is not connected to the main house
Attached – the addition is connected to the principal house
Interior – the addition that is attached to the upper level of a house; sometimes referred to as an attic apartment
Interior – the addition is attached to the lower level of a house; usually called a basement apartment
Above the garage addition
Garage conversion
New construction at the site of an existing home is usually next to a garage; attached or not
Generally, ADUs have their entrance, bathroom, and kitchen. However, these elements are subject to the design and the homeowner’s preference. Detached ADUs increase the value of a property the most because the living area of a property expands. They also afford a lot of privacy. Units of the attached type offer the second-best return on investment. They offer less privacy than the detached home.
A garage conversion increases the property value too, but not as much as the first two. By taking a garage out of service, the space to store a car or household items or to use as a workspace is lost. Converting a detached garage is usually more profitable than converting an attached one because there is more privacy.
These dwellings are a cost-effective way to provide a safe place for aging parents, help newlyweds get started, do your part in helping ease the housing shortage in Central Oregon, and of course, you can earn additional income from property that you already own. ADUs can be a smart way to boost your return on investment on the property you already own. We would love to work with you to develop a plan for adding an ADU to your property. There are many decisions to be made, including hiring an architect and, of course, the fun part, the design! Reach out for a free phone consultation, and let’s get your project started!