Fabl. Design
Site & Civil / Secondary residence

Accessory dwelling unit

Definition

A smaller, self-contained home on the same lot as a primary house, with its own kitchen, bathroom, and entrance. Commonly called an ADU.

Main houseADUAttached ADUDetachedOwn kitchen, bathroom and entrance
Fig. 243 — Accessory dwelling unit: schematic studyNOT TO SCALE
Illustrative photograph of accessory dwelling unit
Illustrative study — Accessory dwelling unit · AI-generatedSAMPLE IMAGE

Structural & construction notes

ADUs can be attached, built inside an existing space such as a basement, or detached. Size caps, owner-occupancy, parking, and setbacks vary by city and zoning district.

Frequently Asked Questions

An educational reference. Project-specific design requires professional guidance.