Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), commonly known as in-law apartments or granny flats, are secondary housing units located on the same property as a primary residence. They offer a practical solution to Rhode Island’s housing challenges by utilizing existing properties to create additional living spaces.
Ocean State ADU’s Cost-Effective Modular ADUs:
At Ocean State ADU, we specialize in designing and constructing modular ADUs that are both affordable and high-quality.
- Modular Construction: Our ADUs are built using modular construction techniques, ensuring faster build times and consistent quality.
- Customization: We offer a range of designs to suit various needs, whether you’re looking to accommodate family members or generate rental income.
- Compliance: Our team is well-versed in Rhode Island’s zoning laws and building codes, ensuring your ADU meets all legal requirements.
By choosing Ocean State ADU, you’re investing in a cost-effective solution that enhances your property’s value and contributes to alleviating Rhode Island’s housing shortage.
Contact us today at: (401) 227-9527
Benefits of ADUs in Rhode Island:
- Affordable Housing: ADUs provide cost-effective living options, helping to address the state’s affordable housing shortage.
- Support for Seniors: They enable aging family members to live independently while staying close to loved ones, catering to the needs of Rhode Island’s growing senior population.
- Efficient Land Use: By adding housing units within existing neighborhoods, ADUs make efficient use of land without the need for new infrastructure.
Addressing Rhode Island’s Housing Challenges
Rhode Island is facing a housing crisis.
While some call it an “affordable housing crisis,” the truth is our state simply doesn’t have enough quality housing to meet demand. The impact is felt across the board: renters struggle to afford homes, landlords chase overdue rent, families compete for expensive and often subpar properties, and local businesses suffer from decreased community engagement.
Here’s why this is happening:
- Aging Housing Stock: Renovating older properties has become increasingly expensive due to necessary updates, such as lead and asbestos abatement, new safety codes, and energy efficiency standards.
- Changing Household Dynamics: The average household size has dropped to 2.6 people (PewResearch.org, 2019), as more individuals opt for independent living or smaller family units.
- Limited Land Availability: Undeveloped land in Rhode Island’s cities is scarce, driving up prices and increasing costs for redevelopment projects.
Rhode Island’s New Laws Supporting ADUs
Rhode Island has taken significant steps to address the state’s housing crisis by making it easier for homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Recent legislation, passed in 2023, establishes clear guidelines for ADU construction, encouraging property owners to add much-needed housing options while maintaining the character of their neighborhoods.
Key Provisions of Rhode Island’s ADU Laws:
- Statewide Legalization: ADUs are now permitted in all municipalities across Rhode Island, eliminating the need to navigate local zoning restrictions that previously made it challenging to build.
- Flexible Design Options: Homeowners can construct a detached unit, convert existing space such as garages or basements, or add an extension to their home, provided the ADU complies with building codes and lot size requirements.
- By-Right Construction: In many cases, ADUs can be built without requiring a special-use permit, simplifying the approval process and reducing delays.
- Family Housing Focus: The new laws encourage ADUs as a way to provide housing for aging parents, adult children, or other family members while fostering multi-generational living arrangements.
- Affordability Goals: ADUs are a cost-effective housing solution, providing options for those who cannot afford traditional homes while offering homeowners a chance to generate rental income.
Links:
- Accessory Dwelling Units (HousingWorksRI)
- ADU Laws and Regulations in RI
- RI General Assembly: ADU Development Bill Signed Into Law
How These Laws Benefit Rhode Island Communities:
These forward-thinking changes help address the state’s housing shortage by creating more opportunities for diverse, affordable housing without drastically altering the landscape of existing neighborhoods. ADUs also support Rhode Island’s aging population by providing opportunities for seniors to downsize or live closer to family while maintaining their independence.
At Ocean State ADU, we’re excited to help Rhode Island homeowners take advantage of these new laws. We’re here to simplify the process, from navigating local requirements to designing and building a high-quality ADU that fits your property and budget.
How Ocean State ADUs is Making a Difference
We founded Ocean State ADU to tackle Rhode Island’s housing challenges head-on.
Our team designs and builds high-quality small homes in backyards, also known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), in-law apartments, or granny flats, and also on standalone properties. Using modern prefab construction techniques and an efficient on-site process, we make new home construction more accessible and affordable.
Our ADUs empower Rhode Island homeowners to:
- Downsize comfortably and reduce living expenses
- Provide a safe, independent living space for family members, including aging parents and children
- Generate rental income while maintaining control over their property
- Build affordably by leveraging modular construction techniques and partnering with trusted, family-run, local subcontractors who share our commitment not only quality and value but also to the Rhode Island community
Most importantly, our approach ensures that homeowners never have to worry about waking up to a towering apartment complex next door.
Ocean State ADU is proud to support Rhode Island’s communities by creating housing that fits the needs of today’s families: affordable, sustainable, and built with care.
