Learn about Adus

What is an ADU?

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a separate, smaller, self contained housing unit that can be added to a residential property which has its own entrance and spaces.

There's ALL KINDS of reasons that an ADU can benefit YOU!

ADUs Help owners to:

• Downsize while staying on their current property.

• Age-In-Place

• House and care for a family member.

• House a caretaker on their property.

• Provide space for their children or parents.

• Leverage your home to purchase a house down south to retire to while maintaining someplace to stay during the summer months.

• Generate income to afford to stay in their home within their neighborhood and community.

• Increase your Property Value.

• Host Family Members and other visitors.

• Provide space for young adult children in school or developing their career.

• Adds more flexibility and value than a traditional addition for added space to Work-from-home or enjoy living space by the pool.

• Feel Safer by having someone living nearby.

There's three Main Categories of ADUs

Detached ADU: A building separate from the main house with it's own entrance and spaces.

Attached ADU: A unit that is addition or extension from the main house with it's own entrance and spaces.

Internal ADU: A unit that is within the main house, with or without an addition, and is usually accessed by a shared entry hallway. Typical Internal ADUs can include basement or attic conversions, or splitting a larger apartment or house into two smaller apartments.

You can even convert an existing Garage or other Accessory Building that you already have!

There's lots of ways for you to ADU!

Each property has it's own potential that the team at Northeast ADU Solutions can help you unlock. Whatever your ADU goals are. we can help!

Whether you want your ADU detached, attached, or internal. If you have space in the front yard, back yard, side yard, attic, or basement - we can help you to tailor and customize YOUR ADU SOLUTION!

Who Lives in ADUs

ADUs are a versatile option for anyone and everyone looking for a attainable and functional housing or an income-producing enhancement to their property.

Common ADU owners or tenants include:

• Individuals / Singles

• Couples

• Small Families

• Friends / Guests

• Seniors

• Extended Families

• Caretakers

• Extra Living Space for the Main House

• Multigenerational Living

ADUs are your SOLUTION for every stage of Life

An thoughtfully designed ADU can remain flexible over time to enhance every phase of your life for you and your family:

• Young and growing families can live in the main house and rent out the ADU.

• Established families can utilize the entire property to house guests or older children wile they are students or establishing their careers.

• Aging families can stay in the main house renting the ADU again OR they can downsize into the ADU while renting the Main House. Both options generate income that can supplement their retirement and allow them to stay right on their property in their existing neighborhood.

ADUs are a great alternative to traditional new houses.

There is a reason that all of the new homes being built today usually cost $500,000-$700,000 and it is partially because the fixed costs for the building lot and utilities are too high for smaller houses.

Here are the Main Advantages that ADUs have over larger new homes:

• ADUs provide a low-impact and diverse housing options in any neighborhood and in all communities.

• ADUs provide more affordable housing options due to their lower construction and maintenance costs.

• ADUs are cheaper to heat and cool and use less resources like electricity and other utilities.

• ADUs create smaller housing options to meet the needs of singles, smaller families, retirees, and young adults.

• ADUs provide rental income which helps young families attain homeownership and can keep seniors stay in their neighborhoods by supplementing their retirement income.

• ADUs can be built to blend right into the existing neighborhood without feeling out-of-place

• ADUs have a lower Impact on the Environment due to their smaller size and by easing pressure to develop open spaces within our community.

• ADUs often leverage existing infrastructure like roads and utilities.

• ADUs save the cost of buying additional land which can provide more options and opportunities for low and moderate income members of the community.

• ADUs can help to prevent Seniors and Families from being priced out of their neighborhoods and homes.

What is Required for an ADU?

An ADU must include all of the essential features of a home or apartment including:

• Be a self-contained unit

• It's own entrance

• Living Area

• Kitchen/kitchenette

• Bathroom

• Sleeping area(s)

• Adequate light and ventilation

• Emergency and Escape Access

What rules and laws apply to ADUs?

ADUs are allowed by-right in Massachusetts, but this doesn't mean that there aren't rules to follow! (And there are lots of rules to follow.)

Rest Assured that the expert team at Northeast ADU Solutions has all of the expertise needed to make sure that your New ADU is in full compliance with all of the applicable laws and codes.

Here are some of the things that our team reviews when planning your ADU:

• Building Codes

• Electrical Code

• Plumbing Code

• HVAC Code

• Energy Efficiency Code including local opt-in codes

• 760 CMR 71.00: PROTECTED USE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS

• Local Zoning Regulation and Dimensional Standards

• Title 5 (Septic) Regulation

• Fire Safety Codes

• Wetlands and other Environmental Considerations

• Property Boundaries and Site Plans