All About Accessory Dwelling Units

Accessory dwelling units are small homes that exist on the same property lot as a single-family residence. This page contains links to numerous resources, including free print and downloadable publications.

Take an ADU House Tour

example 1

Basement ADU

example 2

Attached ADU

example 3

Garage Apartment ADU

Example 4

Internal Main Level ADU

Example 5

Detached One-Story ADU

Example 6

Internal Lower-Level ADU

Example 7

Detached Two-Story ADU

Example 8

Detached Bedroom ADU

Videos and More

EXPERT INSIGHTS

Livable Lesson: ADUs

Video seminars by Eli Spevak, a builder and advocate for housing that's affordable, environmentally-friendly and community-oriented

Under Construction illustration by Anatta Pichaiyan for 123rf,

WEBINAR

Accessory Dwelling Units

Watch a video presentation about these "petite, discreet and affordable homes"

VIDEO

ADUs: An Animated Tour

A video introduction to accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, an increasingly popular housing solution

Livability Library: ADUs

Links to articles, free publications, photo collections and more

ADU Policies and Design

Free Publication

A Step-by-Step Guide to Design and Development

Featuring ADU policies and projects from California, Colorado, Texas and Washington, D.C., Accessory Dwelling Units: A Step-by-Step Guide to Design and Development, a publication by AARP with Blink!LAB Architecture, is a 113-page, image-filled design catalog with information about financing and budgeting for an ADU project.

Cover of Expanding ADU Development and Opportunity

Free Publication

Expanding ADU Development and Occupancy

Created by AARP with the American Planning Association, Expanding ADU Development and Occupancy: Solutions for Removing Local Barriers to ADU Construction is a 104-page guide that can help community leaders, planners, and housing practitioners and advocates overcome barriers to increasing the supply and legal occupancy of ADUs.

Cover art from the AARP Accessory Dwelling Units Model State Act and Local Ordinance

Free Publication

ADUs: Model State Act and Local Ordinance

Accessory Dwelling Units: Model State Act and Local Ordinance is 56-page publication that can be used by state and local elected officials in support of legislation to allow ADUs.