Alexandria is moving closer to allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), which may include "granny flats," garden apartments in single-family homes, tiny houses and more.
City officials are once again asking for resident input as they develop policies regulating size, location and other factors.
ADUs are one of the ways that local governments, like Alexandria, are trying to diversify housing options for residents.
"An ADU, commonly referred to as an 'in-law apartment' or 'granny flat' is a second, separate living unit. ADUs can be built by converting a basement into an apartment, adding an addition to an existing house, building an apartment over a garage, converting an existing detached garage, or building a new backyard cottage. An ADU is distinguished from renting out part of a house because it is a totally separate living unit, with a separate entrance, bathroom and kitchen,” according to the City of Alexandria’s definition.
Residents who responded to the City's first request for feedback had questions whether there would be size limitations on ADUs and required setbacks from property lines. In addition, residents raised concerns about the effect allowing ADUs would have on local traffic and the environment. In addition, residents are requesting more information about how other jurisdictions, like Arlington, are regulating ADUs.
In Arlington, uptake on ADUs has been slow — just 45 have been developed in the past 11 years, according to the Urban Institute, a D.C.-based think tank that is working with Alexandria on ADU policy development. Arlington and some other jurisdictions require that ADUs be only on residential lots of greater than 4,200 square feet (or about one-tenth of an acre).
Some localities, including Arlington, require the owner of the property to live in the main residence or in the ADU, so a property owner cannot simultaneously rent out both the main and accessory dwellings. Other areas, including San Francisco, have waived that requirement.
The benefits, according to the City, of allowing ADUs include:
- Bringing in rental income that helps cover housing costs for both first-time homebuyers and long-time Alexandrians at risk of being priced out of the city;
- Providing on-site housing options for multi-generational families, caregivers for seniors and persons with disabilities, live-in childcare providers and other caretakers;
- Enhancing housing affordability for the City’s workforce, including recent graduates and young professionals.
Additional information about ADU policy development is available on the project webpage.
Community members are invited to provide feedback by Aug. 10 through this online feedback form.
For more information, including a link to the introductory presentation posted in April, can be found on the project website. Questions may be directed to Sam Shelby, Urban Planner.
