Why It Pays to Accessorize with Accessory Dwelling Units
Wikipedia defines Accessory Dwelling Units (“ADUs”) as “a self-contained apartment in an owner occupied single-family home / lot that is either attached to the principal dwelling or in a separate structure on the same property.” Unlike a condo that can be deeded separately, an ADU is a part of the same property as the main home.
There are many benefits of having an accessory dwelling unit. ADUs offer privacy to both guests/visiting family members and occupants of the main residence. They also serve a monetary function if the property owner chooses to rent the space either in the long term or as a short term rental on sites like www.airbnb.com or www.vrbo.com. (Check your local ordinances for possible restrictions on short term rentals.)
Another emerging benefit of ADUs are the potential solutions they offer for lack of affordable housing in high-demand metro areas. The affordable housing problem is especially prevalent in Charleston, SC. Local governments are increasingly passing ordinances that allow ADUs to be renovated/constructed and rented out.
ADUs have existed for centuries, i.e. carriage houses that exist on many older properties in Charleston, SC. While ADUs fell in popularity during much of the 20th century, they are making a large comeback due to their additional income potential for the homeowner. Due to this financial potential, we always try to preserve any detached structures on a property that can be creatively transformed into an accessory dwelling unit and used for this purpose.
One recent example is 52 Congress Street. This dilapidated structure was transformed into a loft-style efficiency apartment that can generate additional rental income for any future occupiers. County of Charleston Zoning and Land Development Regulations §6.5.9 state that gross floor area of the accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed 800 square feet in any Residential district. Due to these space constraints, constructing a loft-style sleeping area allowed for a more spacious living area, and vaulted ceilings created a more spacious feeling.
Another renovation project with a potential ADU required more of a creative approach. That project was 1012 Ashley Avenue. The accessory dwelling unit previously had a tree growing through the roof but was salvaged so it could be converted into an 800 square foot guest cottage with one bedroom/one bath making it ideal for a home office, guests, hobby recreation, or utilized for rental income.
