Have you heard of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)?  What if I call them backyard cottages?  You know, a small building behind the house or over the detached garage that’s essentially a standalone apartment.  According to Raleigh Agenda, “Raleigh is the only major city in North Carolina that doesn’t have current regulations allowing backyard cottages.”  But also according to Raleigh Agenda, that might be about to change.

Residents of Mordecai, and old Raleigh neighborhood that’s recently become quite trendy, have petitioned the city to consider allowing the ADUs.  I think it’s a great idea.  And I could tell you why, but instead, I thought I’d just share some comments directly from residents who were surveyed about it.

  • “This addresses a suburban sprawl issue in Raleigh. There is plenty of parking where I live for another small 1 bed 1 bath place, and my yard is big enough. And it’s my yard, so I feel like I should have the right to use it as I want as long as there is not a health or safety risk.”
  • “We live in a city. Housing density is a good thing. If you don’t want housing density, don’t live in a city.”
  • “ADUs are a no brainer. They will increase smaller and most likely comparatively more affordable units for rental, provide work from home options that are important to our creative class and downtown entrepreneurs and provide downsizing aging place options or multi-generational family options for those that rather their folks live on site than pay big bills to the a senior facility.”
  • “…I am very much in favor of ADUs because they provide affordable housing in urban areas, and are a smart way to grow and add needed housing stock that meets the needs of today’s demographics. I believe that if landscaping , lighting and other standards are required, these units would be a huge asset to homeowners and to our city.”
  • “This is a great idea. Other cities have been doing it and we should too. In looking at long-term elderly family care, or a place for an office or studio, or as a place to rent out for some extra income. This is my property and provided I haven’t offended the neighbors with my structure I should be allowed to build what I want.”
  • “Many are used for an office, in law suited for aging parents, art studios, I do not want to be restricted.”

And that’s just a few responses to the first question.  The complete survey results are available here.  I’ve not read all 23 pages of responses, but the quotes above seem to reflect the tone of most of the responses.  People like the idea, and they don’t want lots of restrictions on how they use their own property.  The sorts of restrictions they do want are mostly the sorts of things that HOAs tend to take care of.

Overall 75% are in favor of ADUs, and 13% said maybe, leaving just 12% who were opposed.  Looks like another area where, if the government will just step back, people and communities can take care of the issue on their own.