City of Yes: Boosting Housing with ADUs

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New York City's "City of Yes" zoning reforms represent a significant shift in the city's approach to housing, and one key component is the expansion of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

What are ADUs?

ADUs are smaller, secondary living units within or attached to the lot of a pre-existing home. They can take various forms, including:

• Basement apartments: Converting finished basement space into a separate living unit.
• Garage apartments: Converting a garage into a living space.
• Backyard cottages: Building a separate, detached unit in the backyard.

City of Yes and ADUs:

Prior to City of Yes, ADUs were subject to strict zoning regulations in many parts of NYC, making them difficult to build. The new reforms aim to:

• Increase ADU Construction: By relaxing zoning restrictions, the City of Yes makes it easier for homeowners to build ADUs.
• Boost Housing Supply: ADUs represent a significant opportunity to increase housing supply within existing neighborhoods, addressing the city's critical housing shortage.
• Support Homeowners: ADUs can provide homeowners with additional income through rental income or offer housing options for family members.
• Promote Density: ADUs allow for increased density within existing residential areas without significantly altering the character of the neighborhood.

City of Yes ADU Details:

The City Council made several modifications to the original City of Yes ADU plan before passing the law, including:

• Prohibiting ground floor ADUs and basement ADUs in coastal flood zone and other vulnerable flooding areas
• Prohibiting ADUs in R1A, R2A, R3A districts outside the Greater Transit Zone, in historic districts, and in attached or row-houses,
• Prohibiting ADUs from covering more than 33% of a rear yard,
• Requiring that ADUs are 1 story unless parking is provided on the first floor
• Requiring that the homeowner live on the property in order to have the ADU, and
• Providing programs to assist homeowners as part of the City For All commitments

The Future of ADUs in NYC:

The City of Yes has the potential to unlock the potential of ADUs as a significant source of new housing in NYC. By streamlining the approval process and addressing potential concerns, the city can encourage the development of ADUs while ensuring they contribute to a more sustainable and equitable housing market. If you are interested in learning more, connect with me at 917-254-2103. My goal is to help you accomplish yours!