An AARP estimate showed that somewhere between 75% and 80% of elder care was being provided by the children of elders, so they developed a model ADU zoning ordinance that cities and counties could adopt quickly.
Research of the ADU regulations adopted by some 30 cities revealed several similarities:
1- All city or county regulations limit the size of Accessory Homes in some fashion. A typical minimum is 400 square feet and a common maximum is 800 square feet. Sometimes maximum size is expressed as a percentage of the primary home’s size.
2- The number of bedrooms is often limited as well as the number of residents, usually one bedroom and two or three people max.
3- Parking regulations usually require 1 additional parking space in addition to that required for the primary home.
4- Lot size minimums are often established for the inclusion of an ADU.
5- Some simple statement such as “compatible with the primary home” usually regulates design, though some cities require formal reviews.
6- Renting is most often permitted, but some cities do not allow the rental of an ADU.
7- A few communities regulate the concentration of ADUs in a particular neighborhood, but most do not.
8- From there on, one or more municipalities probably include anything you can imagine: full public hearings, revocable permits, height limitations, use restrictions, construction methods, etc.
The concern is more for what comes after. What comes after the elderly parents pass on and the dwelling is empty? Then come the renters. Or if the owners of the property sell it, and now the original use is changed, and it can be for anything. You cannot force or regulate people into using that accessory dwelling only for elderly parents.
I would not want renters in my backyard.
The small house back there could become anything. Space is space! A bedroom does not have to be a bedroom it can be a library, computer room, extra closet etc.
The same thing would apply here.
I would love a craft building where dogs and cats do not disassemble my projects.
It could be a guest house to keep relatives out of your way.
It could be a place for the RH to spend his time!!!
Very true, Marti. It is a tough time for folks, as I have seen from my home health nursing practice. I have seen, among other things, formal dining rooms turned into a bedroom for an elderly parent, filled with way too much furniture.
My parents are both gone and I never had the opportunity to deal with their needs as elderly people.
I don't live exactly in the back yard although that's where they wanted to put me, but since I own the land and my daughter will not inherit it until I'm gone, I was put besides them in front. I wanted to see everything that happens. I love to know when the mail comes and see the cars go by etc. Know what I mean? We live in the country and we live off of one septic, electricity and water. We help each other. That's what families are for.
Yeah, and for the ones that don't know, I live in an RV, that can be moved when I'm gone or it can be a place for guests or whatever my daughter wants to do with it after I'm gone.
Thanks to all of you that responded, your opinions and stories are great. Surely there are more people out there that have had or are having the experience with an Accessory Dwelling either for themselves or for another family member. I for one would like to hear from you. What are the good things and what are the less than good experiences you've had with an Accessory home?
