Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

You have probably heard of a mother-in-law suite or garage conversion – the techincal term is accessory dwelling unit (ADU). They have been growing in popularity in the Portland Metro area and there’s no surprise why. According to the City of Portland, “an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a second dwelling unit created on a lot with a house, attached house or manufactured home. The second unit is created auxiliary to, and is smaller than, the main dwelling”. They can be created in many different ways – from an addition to your home, a conversion of a basement or garage or building a brand new structure in your backyard.

Not sure an ADU is for you? Here are some examples of how you could utilize your new addition:

• Building a distraction-free office or workspace that would make working from home even better
• Adding an additional source of income to help pay for mortgage. Countless Portlanders renting out their ADU, whether for short-term vacation rentals or long-term tenants.
• Expanding living space for family to live in. Exactly the reason they are commonly refered to as a ‘mother-in-law suite’.
• Some brave homeowners will even move into an ADU addition and rent out their main house, so they can downsize without giving up their property rights!