Welcome to Accessory Apartments 101

[DC Accessory Apartments Forum]

Accessory units can be a great opportunity to help homeowners earn income and help a person or small family to have a home. An accessory apartment, also commonly called an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), is a secondary dwelling unit established in conjunction with and clearly subordinate to a primary home, whether a part of the same structure as the primary dwelling unit or a detached dwelling unit on the same lot. These units might be an addition to a garage, a basement apartment, or an entirely new structure such as a backyard cottage.

Here are a few great resources to get you started on your ADU journey:

Best primer video from Portland, OR on Accessory Apartments

Our 2-Page Fact Sheet about Accessory Apartments in Washington DC

Step-by-Step Guide to Building an Accessory Apartment in Washington DC