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Accessory Dwelling Unit Policy Adoption
City Council approved ADU policy on January 23, 2021 at their regular public hearing. More information can be found on the docket and navigating to item #6.
City Council amended the policy to include the following:
- Require homeowners to maintain primary residence of the subject property at the time of ADU construction.
- Prohibit the exclusive use of an ADU as a short-term rental.
- Require a fee for ADU permits.
- Require larger setbacks for taller, detached ADUs
Accessory Dwelling Unit Policy Draft Recommendations
What are ADUs?
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. ADUs can:
- Bring 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;
- Provide on-site housing options for multi-generational families, caregivers for seniors and persons with disabilities, live-in childcare providers and other caretakers;
- Enhance housing affordability for the City’s workforce, including recent graduates and young professionals.
- Frequently Asked Questions (Updated August 12, 2020)
Planning Process
Meetings and Materials
- October - November 2020 - Online Engagement Opportunity
- Community feedback on the draft recommendations was incorporated in the final draft considered by Planning Commission and City Council
- October 22,2020 - Virtual Community Meeting
- July 15, 2020 - Presentation summarizing initial community feedback received and addressing questions regarding how the City's Zoning Ordinance currently regulates ADUs.
- Video
- Presentation
- Feedback was accepted from July 15 through August 19.
- April 17, 2020 - Presentation providing an introduction to ADUs and goals of the study. Community feedback was accepted from April 17 through May 10 and informed staff’s policy recommendations considered by the Planning Commission and City Council.
Objectives
The process included citywide community outreach and engagement, and an analysis of regional and national best practices to include regulatory tools, financial mechanisms, design guidelines and other considerations. Urban Institute provided research and outreach assistance to City staff on the project.
Project goals included:
- Allowing for new dwelling units that are compatible with established neighborhood character;
- Gradually increasing lower-cost housing stock;
- Providing additional housing flexibility for residents.
Further Information
More about ADUs
- Housing Virgina - ADUs: The Next Little Thing in Affordable Housing Webinar - July 29
- AARP Livable Communities - All About ADUs
- American Planning Association - ADU Knowledgebase Collection
- Accessory Dwellings.org - A "One-Stop" source about ADU's
- Accessory Dwelling Units: A Guide to Accessory Apartments in Charlottesville, VA (2015)
- Community Interview - a Washington, DC Resident and His Father's Experience with ADUs
- Housing America's Older Adults (Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, 2018)
- Secondary Units and Urban Infill: A Literature Review (UCLA, 2011)
- Accessory Dwelling Units: Case Study (HUD, 2008)
- Responding to Changing Households: Regulatory Challenges for Micro-Units and Accessory Dwelling Units (NYU Furman Center, 2014)
ADU Regulations in the Region
Questions?
Contact zoning staff at pczoning@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4333.