Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Amendments
Consultation has concluded
Background: ADUs are allowed in the City if they are attached or internal to a single-family home. There are standards on design, placement, and use. Site plan approval and building permits are also required.
Issue: The prohibition of detached ADUs is often a barrier to those attached to garages, and ADUs are expensive to build. Constructing an ADU can be nearly as expensive as the cost of purchasing a single-family house, but ADUS offer housing flexibility and choice.
Proposal: The City is considering allowing detached ADUs, subject to many of the same standards applicable to any home addition. Also underContinue reading
Background: ADUs are allowed in the City if they are attached or internal to a single-family home. There are standards on design, placement, and use. Site plan approval and building permits are also required.
Issue: The prohibition of detached ADUs is often a barrier to those attached to garages, and ADUs are expensive to build. Constructing an ADU can be nearly as expensive as the cost of purchasing a single-family house, but ADUS offer housing flexibility and choice.
Proposal: The City is considering allowing detached ADUs, subject to many of the same standards applicable to any home addition. Also under consideration is to require an occupancy limit based on the structure size instead of the existing two-person limit.
How to participate: You are invited to share feedback regarding ADUs that staff will consider in the development of a draft ordinance. The draft ordinance will be presented to the Planning Commission with a public hearing tentatively in May and the City Council will be asked to adopt the ordinance tentatively in June. Staff will share information about how public input influenced the final decision.
What is an ADU?
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a smaller living area that operates as an independent living space with its own cooking, sanitary, and sleeping facilities. Historically, carriage houses were a form of what we call an ADU. People often think of ADUs as in-law suites or garage apartments. In Bloomington, attached and internal ADUs are allowed in association with single-family houses. Homeowners often learn that they are able to create a separate living area and kitchen within their home that is not to ADU standards, since ADU standards only apply to attached or internal secondary dwellings that share no interior connection to the primary dwelling (with access via an exterior entryway).
Click here for examples and to learn more about different types of ADUs.
Why Detached ADUs?
Detached ADUs offer residents housing flexibility and choices. Residents that want to downsize, but stay on their property, might opt to live in an ADU. ADUs make it easier to house relatives and have multi-generational households while still allowing the privacy and separation of a distinct living space. ADUs could also be used as rental space for additional income. Detached ADUs give people more options. For instance, ADUs connected to a garage are often considered 'detached' because they do not always share a wall with the single-family living space.
Detached ADUs would be subject to the same standards as any home addition. These standards would help address concerns related to congestion, impacts on neighboring properties, and the use of ADUs.
Where can I learn more?
Existing standards in the City Code are found at the following website: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/bloomington/latest/bloomington_mn/0-0-0-110593
There are a variety of resources on ADUs. Staff recommends the following:
- The AARP offers several resources providing overview, details on design and development, and examples: https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/housing/info-2019/accessory-dwelling-units-adus.html
- The Family Housing Fund offers guidebooks and resource lists specific to the Twin Cities: https://www.fhfund.org/reports-tools/1/39
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What excites you?
over 1 year agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Comments posted here are shared below.
dale0110almost 2 years agoI'm really excited about the detached ADU as it allows ways to increase density without looking like typical high density neighborhoods.
0Danabout 2 years agoThis is a great idea. With the rising home prices I wonder how some will ever afford homes. This will provide another lower cost option.
1alicechuabout 2 years agoI have enough land to build a detached ADU in my backyard, which faces the Cedarcrest drainage area.
0kdbolsonabout 2 years agoI'm excited by the prospect of using my home better by building out an ADU within the existing basement space. But, I need help with design.
Need help with design
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What concerns you?
over 1 year agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Comments posted here are shared below.
Kimalmost 2 years agoAttached ADUs - yes. Detached ADUs - no. Potential party houses or Airbnb's - harming city hotels/tax base. Large properties mainly benefit
Not in favor of detached ADUs
0Kendraabout 2 years agoPlease consider removing the size limitations as a proportion of the existing dwelling unit
This is an equity concern for those on the East side with small houses. Personally, I'd consider adding an ADU to my house for my parents once they retire, but this is not possible under the current standards since my home is under 900 sqft.
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Do you have any suggestions?
over 1 year agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Comments posted here are shared below.
Who's Listening
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Planner
TRPhone 952-563-8928 Email tramlerolson@BloomingtonMN.gov
Project Timeline
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Study meetings
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Amendments has finished this stageOctober 28, 2021 Planning Commission/HRA study meeting
February 14, 2022 City Council study meeting
Agenda packet, meeting minutes, and video available at www.bloomingtonmn.gov/meetings
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Standards Review & Public Engagement
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Amendments has finished this stageGathering information & feedback prior to drafting an ordinance
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Public Hearings
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Code Amendments is currently at this stageDraft ordinance completed. Public hearings to consider ordinance amendments:
July 14, 2022 (tentative) Planning Commission public hearing to provide recommendation of ordinance amendments
August 8, 2022 (tentative) City Council public hearing to consider adopting ordinance amendments