The Tempe City Council has decided to explore options and collect ideas from residents as officials examine the expansion of accessory dwelling units.

An ADU is an independent, smaller, rentable dwelling unit located on the same lot as an existing, standalone single-family home. 

In 2019, Tempe was among the first cities in Arizona to approve an ordinance adopting new regulations for ADUs, according to a release.

At their Nov. 20 work study session, council members “expressed a desire for deeper community outreach on potential updates to code regulations that allow ADUs,” the release stated.

City officials said some of the the potential benefits of ADUs are:

• Increasing the city’s affordable housing stock with alternate smaller housing units. 
• Creating housing diversity as called for in the city’s Affordable Housing Strategy.
• Adding incremental density while maintaining the character of a neighborhood.
• Providing opportunities for multi-generational living.
• Allowing for aging in place. As an Age-Friendly City, Tempe could support options for older homeowners to downsize on their own property.
• Helping generate a new source of income for homeowners.

Meetings and an online survey have taken place, and the city’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission voted to recommend proceeding with further research and draft ADU regulations with the next steps.

Find updates when additional meetings will take place and more at: tempe.gov/ADU or sign up to receive city news.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.