Two Portland-specific programs come up in almost every ADU conversation here, and both are routinely described inaccurately. The Field Issuance Remodel Program, usually shortened to FIR, streamlines permitting and inspections for qualified contractors on specified residential work. Separately, the City’s System Development Charge waiver can eliminate substantial fees, but only in exchange for a recorded …
In Oregon, ADU eligibility can hinge on a property boundary that is easy to overlook: the urban growth boundary. Properties inside it generally benefit from the state’s urban ADU protections, including no owner-occupancy mandate and no added off-street parking requirement. Outside that boundary, a different set of rules applies, with separate acreage thresholds and siting …
If you researched Seattle ADU rules more than a year ago, some of what you learned is now wrong. The City updated its ADU regulations in 2025, with additional residential changes taking effect in 2026, and the revisions touched the details homeowners plan around: how many units are allowed and in what combination, the size …
Washington’s ADU rules are broad at the state level, but their practical effect depends heavily on location. In many cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act, qualifying residential lots within urban growth areas may support up to two accessory dwelling units. That does not mean every property receives the same treatment, however. Jurisdictional …
Fort Lauderdale homeowners have less flexibility with ADU size and layout than in many nearby markets. Local rules limit an accessory dwelling to the smaller of 600 square feet or 49% of the principal structure, and the unit must generally be configured as either a one-bedroom, one-bath residence or an efficiency. Because many ADU plans …
San Diego’s ADU landscape changed in a notable way in 2026. In qualifying unincorporated areas of the county, certain accessory dwelling units may now be sold separately through a condominium conversion process, creating a new option for some property owners beyond traditional rental or family use. Even with expanded possibilities, contractor selection remains critical, since …
Most Jacksonville homeowners researching accessory dwelling units start with the wrong number. The figure that circulates locally is 750 square feet, but the ordinance actually caps an ADU at the lesser of that or 25% of the principal dwelling’s gross floor area. On a 2,400 square foot house, those two tests land in the same …
Building an ADU in Los Angeles can open up several possibilities, from creating a separate rental unit to adding private space for relatives or increasing the functionality of an underused portion of a property. California and Los Angeles regulations generally provide broad opportunities for ADU development, but what can actually be built still depends on …
Orlando homeowners looking to add rental income, house extended family, or make better use of an existing lot face a decision that turns on details settled before design begins: zoning district, lot area, whether the property sits inside city limits or unincorporated Orange County, and what the City’s rental rules actually permit. For those interested …
California’s ADU market has grown rapidly as homeowners look for flexible ways to expand usable space, accommodate family, or create an additional source of rental income. Often referred to as granny flats, in-law units, or backyard cottages, accessory dwelling units can be a valuable addition to a property, but choosing the right contractor requires more …
