Which parts of Ohio allow accessory dwelling units and additions to your house?
Wanting to add an additional she-shed or maybe a mother-in-law suite to your property? Maybe you’re thinking of building a room over the attached garage for some extra space when guests come over.
Before you start building or busting down walls, check if your city or township permits accessory dwelling units, also called ADUs.
What qualifies as an ADU in Ohio?
An ADU is an additional dwelling unit on a single-home residential property.
According to the National Association of REALTORS in northeast Ohio, there are three types of ADUs: interior, attached and detached.
An attached or internal ADU is an addition directly to the single-family unit; it could be inside the building, above the garage or beside it.
The detached ADU is a dwelling unit that’s been added either by converting an existing structure into a living space or by building something new.
ADU developments are “in their infancy,” according to the Ohio Conference of Community Development.
But many reports state these additional structures could prove helpful as housing prices increase.
Which parts of the Mahoning Valley allow ADU?
For residents in the Mahoning Valley, it’ll depend on each municipalities’ set of zoning rules, regulations and requirements for the ADU.
In Youngstown, ADUs are permitted but have to be submitted to the zoning departments with a $25 fee and plans for how the structure will look.
Residents have to meet certain qualifications, like the detached ADU structure has to be in the rear of the property, and they can’t start building until they’ve received that permit, according to the city’s FAQ online.
In Warren, it’s similar where the city building division issues permits.
Before you start building, check with your township’s zoning board and the county’s building departments.
Contractors should also call 811 before construction begins.
