Accessory Dwelling Unit Task Force: Builder / Developer / Architect Survey
The Accessory Dwelling Unit Policy Task Force (Task Force) is seeking assistance and insight about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) from builders, developers and architects / designers who work in Maryland. The Task Force is distributing this survey in response to 2023’s SB 382. Please consider completing the short survey (linked below) to inform the Task Force's deliberations.
Accessory Dwelling Unit Policy Task Force: Builder/Developer Survey
ADU Task Force Background
During the 2023 session, the Maryland General Assembly passed SB382, which was enacted into law on May 28, 2023, establishing the Task Force and directing MDP to provide staff support. The Task Force will survey and document state and local codes, laws, ordinances, and policies about locating accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single-family residential zones. The Task Force will also study best practices to streamline or standardize the local ADU application and development review process. From this analysis, the Task Force will develop legislative and policy recommendations, including best practices that address ADU issues. These may include potential impacts on surrounding single-family neighborhoods and local housing markets and neighborhood character, as well as potential opportunities to generate additional housing for families to meet growing demands in some areas.
The Task Force updated the governor and general assembly in a November 1, 2023 activities report, and will submit a final report by June 1, 2024. The Task Force has 17 members.
ADU’s Defined
SB 382 defines an ADU as “a secondary dwelling unit on the same lot, parcel, or tract as a primary dwelling unit that is constructed:
(i) attached to, or through the conversion of, a portion of the primary dwelling unit;
(ii) attached to, or through the full or partial conversion of, an accessory structure located on the same lot, parcel, or tract as the primary dwelling unit;
(iii) as a new building, detached from the primary dwelling unit and any existing accessory structure.”
The American Planning Association defines and details ADUs as “a smaller, independent residential dwelling unit located on the same lot as a stand-alone (i.e., detached) single-family home. ADUs go by many different names throughout the U.S., including accessory apartments, secondary suites, and granny flats. ADUs can be converted portions of existing homes (i.e., internal ADUs), additions to new or existing homes (i.e., attached ADUs), or new stand-alone accessory structures or converted portions of existing stand-alone accessory structures (i.e., detached ADUs).”
Please submit any requests or questions using the survey or contact the Maryland Department of Planning at [email protected]
The survey will remain open for a couple months, but if you would like your feedback to be considered during the next ADU Task Force meeting on December 19, we request your completed survey by December 15.
Thank you,
Joe Griffiths, AICP
Local Assistance and Training Manager
Maryland Department of Planning
301 W. Preston St., Suite 1101
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 767-4553
[email protected]
