By MICHELLE GLADDEN
Little houses or accessory dwellings can be built on properties in Asbury Park.
At the recent City Council meeting Planning and Redevelopment Director Michele Alonso revealed how homeowners can convert or construct a backyard income property; be it a granny flat, cottage or apartment.
“Its aim is to encourage more forms of housing in the city,” Alonso said during the Feb 26 City Council meeting.
Known as an Accessory Dwelling Unit [ADU], the structures can stand alone or converted portions of an existing single family home.
Here are several guidelines.
ADUs are permitted on owner-occupied properties in the city’s R1, R2, R3 and B districts, as well as the Scattered Site and Washington Avenue Redevelopment zones.
ADUs cannot be larger than the main house, only one per property, and only properties with one- or two-family homes qualify.
ADUs can only be up to two stories, must have onsite parking and follow residential home standards.
Zoning and construction permits are required, so Alonso’s office would be your first stop.
While your ADU does not have to be a regulated affordable unit, if you choose to do so, there are $20- to $35K in subsidies in exchange for a $10 year deed restriction and fee waivers
And what might be bad news for some is that ADUs cannot be utilized for short term rental income.
“We are looking to create more rentals for residents here in the city,” Alonso said.
For more on ADUs, visit the municipal website.
