New Haven’s ADU Toolkit

Discover more about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and how to build one in New Haven.

ADUs are also known as —

Laneway houses

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Granny flats

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In-law apartments

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Backyard homes

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Alley flats

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Tiny homes

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Laneway houses · Granny flats · In-law apartments · Backyard homes · Alley flats · Tiny homes ·

What is an ADU?

An Accessory Dwelling Unit, or ADU, is a residential living unit that is on the same parcel as a single-family dwelling or a multifamily structure. The ADU provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including space for living, sleeping, cooking, and eating and sanitation.

There are three types: detached, interior, and attached.

  1. Create new housing units while respecting the look and scale of neighborhood patterns of development.

  2. Increase affordable housing choices especially for very low-income residents.

  3. Support more efficient use of existing housing stock and infrastructure.

  4. Offer environmentally friendly housing choices with less average space per person and smaller associated carbon footprints.

  5. Provide housing that responds to changing family needs, smaller households, and increasing housing costs;

  6. Provide accessible housing for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Benefits of ADUs

What Can I Build?

The city's rollout of its ADU policies will come in three phases. Currently we are in Phase 1. If you are a homeowner, you can build an ADU that is a converted detached ADU or a attic or basement Interior ADU. New detached ADU’s are not allowable under the current ADU Ordinance. Click here to read the ADU Ordinance.

  • Retrofit Existing Accessory Unit

    Detached ADU: Convert an existing garage or shed into a backyard home of the same footprint, or legalize an existing secondary dwelling on your property.

  • Convert Interior Spaces

    Interior ADU: Convert a portion of your home (e.g. attic, basement) into an individual unit with a separate entry.

  • New Build — Available in Future Phases

    Detached ADU or Attached ADU: In future phases of the ADU policy rollout, newly constructed ADUs will be available. This means you will be able to build an addition to the primary structure with a dedicated entry.

ADU’s in New Haven

Each neighborhood of the city has a distinct character, making the addition of ADUs unique to each situation.

Aging-in-place

ADUs can create an accessible home for homeowners who want to stay in their community as they retire. The main home can be rented out, or become the home for a grown child’s family to keep the whole family close.

Passive Income

Renting out an ADU has the potential to generate passive income for homeowners, while providing housing for those renters in search.

Preserve historic neighborhoods

Many homes in New Haven have a history behind them. ADUs can provide more housing for the growing population without disrupting the historic look of neighborhoods.