An ADU is generally an additional living area independent of the primary dwelling that may have been added to, created within, or detached from the primary dwelling. The ADU must have basic requirements for living, sleeping, cooking, and bathroom facilities on the same parcel as the primary dwelling. 

Examples of ADUs include, (but are not limited to):

  • a living area over a garage,

  • a living area in a basement,

  • a small addition to the primary dwelling, or

  • a manufactured home (legally classified as real property).

Whether a property is defined as a one-unit property with an accessory unit or a two- to four-unit property will be based on the characteristics of the property, which may include, but are not limited to, the existence of separate utility meter(s), a unique postal address, and whether the unit can be legally rented. The appraiser must determine compliance with this definition as part of the analysis in the Highest and Best Use section of the appraisal



Requirements

  • Only one ADU is permitted on the parcel of the primary one-unit dwelling.

  • ADUs are not permitted with a two- to four-unit dwelling.

  • The ADU must

    • be subordinate in size to the primary dwelling.

    • have the following separate features from the primary dwelling:
      • means of ingress/egress,

      • kitchen,

      • sleeping area,

      • bathing area, and

      • bathroom facilities.

  • The ADU may, but is not required to, include access to the primary dwelling. However, it is not considered an ADU if it can only be accessed through the primary dwelling or the area is open to the primary dwelling with no expectation of privacy.

  • The kitchen must, at a minimum, contain the following:

    • cabinets;

    • a countertop;

    • a sink with running water; and

    • a stove or stove hookup (hotplates, microwaves, or toaster ovens are not acceptable stove substitutes).

  • An independent second kitchen by itself does not constitute an ADU.

  • The removal of a stove does not change the ADU classification.