Technical Assistance

Housing Assistance Corporation’s My Home Plus One Program Technical Assistance can help you assess the probability of whether or not ADU construction will be allowed on your property. Before you begin an inquiry it is important to review the factors below.

1) CONSTRUCTION OBSTACLES

Cost:

Before beginning any construction project, it is important to consider the estimated cost of construction and the return on investment you need to make the project feasible.  This will vary based on your own personal financial situation and project goals.

Zoning:

Each Town has unique zoning requirements that regulate what you can or cannot build on your property.  You can check your Towns ADU zoning rules HERE

Site Constraints:

Your property will need to have the physical space to site the new ADU, taking into consideration zoning setbacks, wetlands, parking needs, site access, and other existing site conditions.  

Wastewater Capacity:

To assess whether your property can support an ADU you will need to understand if your septic or sewer capacity will support an additional bedroom. If not, you will need to decide if you are willing to remove a bedroom from your existing primary dwelling or contact a septic engineer to determine whether or not you can expand your existing system.

Covenants:

If the property is part of a subdivision there may be covenants (rules) that will not allow ADU construction. You will need to review your property deed, or you may contact a Title Search Specialist or Town Building Department or Planner for assistance. 

Homeowners Association Bylaws:

Homeowners Associations frequently have bylaws that prohibit secondary units. Review your Homeowners Association Bylaws to determine if ADU construction is allowable.  

2) BECOMING A LANDLORD

Building an ADU and becoming a landlord requires a significant personal and financial investment. Prior to beginning the process of assessing your ability to build an ADU, it is important to weigh the risks, benefits, and responsibilities associated with becoming a landlord. FannieMae has developed a great resource to guide you through this process:  Becoming a Landlord: Rewards, Risks, and Responsibilities. The guide’s purpose is to help you and other first-time landlords understand the risks and responsibilities involved in the business of being a landlord and to share some proven ways of handling them successfully.