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ADDITIONAL DWELLING UNIT

(ADU)

An Additional Dwelling Unit, (ADU), (also known as a secondary suite, second unit, granny cottage, she shed, etc.,) is a second complete dwelling unit which is legally built within or on the same lot as an existing single family residence. With increases in the price of housing in many cities and suburbs, an increased awareness of the costs of low-density car-oriented development patterns and an increased need to care for the aging baby boom generation, ADUs have been promoted as a beneficial option with increasing acceptance.

THE SMALL HOME MOVEMENT

The housing crisis, and growing awareness of environmental affects of industry, is leading to a cultural shift to less material consumption and smaller homes. In the United States, the average size of new single family homes grew from 1,780 square feet (165 m2) in 1978, to 2,479 square feet (230.3 m2) in 2007, and further still to 2,662 square feet (247.3 m2) in 2013. With the increase in square footage also came a reduction in material quality and longevity, which has greatly increased landfill mass and carbon emissions.

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