Alexandria officials have released the final recommendations on accessory dwelling units, allowing many residents to build tiny homes, above-garage flats or garden-level apartments for rent on their properties.
Critics have called it the end of single-family zoning in the city, but proponents of ADUs have argued they will provide new and much-needed affordable housing.
The City defines them this way: Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), commonly referred to as “in-law apartments” or “granny flats”, are secondary, independent living units that typically have a separate kitchen, sleeping area and bathroom. ADUs can assume different forms including basement apartments, converted garages or new structures detached from a primary residence.
Earlier this month, city staff released the finalized recommendations for regulations of ADUs, setting out parking regulations, set-backs and other rules for homeowners. These recommendations will be considered by Planning Commission on Tuesday, Jan. 5 and City Council on Saturday, Jan. 23. Residents are welcome to provide last-minute feedback at either of those meetings by signing up on this page.
According to the regulations, only one ADU is allowed on any lot that has a single, two-family or townhome. Size constraints will apply based on the size of the lot.
Critics are most concerned about parking requirements, as parking is already quite tight in sections of Alexandria. According to the new regulations, off-street parking shall not be required for ADU, but homeowners cannot remove any required parking spaces to accommodate ADU construction. (It is not clear if a homeowner’s pre-existing driveway is “required.”)
Only three people are allowed to live in each ADU, and the property owner must live in the either the ADU or in the main home. In addition, the ADU and main home cannot be rented out simultaneously, though ADU Airbnbs and other short-term rentals will be allowed.
More information on ADUs is available here.
