ADUs are finally being considered for Reno's affordable housing toolkit
A recap of our recent reporting plus bonus content.
After long advocating ourselves for allowing ADUs [Accessory Dwelling Units] also known as granny pods/flats into our neighborhoods, despite a resounding council rejection in 2018, the City of Reno is finally considering this for helping create more accessible housing.
Earlier this week, an email announced the City “will host multiple public engagement opportunities for residents to comment on the potential adoption of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance. In 2023, Reno City Council initiated a text amendment to Reno Municipal Code to allow ADUs in most areas of the City.”
Staff have developed a draft ordinance and “are now seeking additional input to refine the proposed language.”
City staff will attend NAB meetings between February 4th to the 24th to present the draft, while hosting several virtual meetings as well.
ADUs, as long as they aren’t over regulated, ladled with complicated bureaucracy and coded to absurdity, generally get a positive spin for increasing housing stock at much cheaper rates for all involved, while reducing sprawl.
These are good for a wide range of people, from seniors, to multigenerational families, to low income acquaintances and relatives. For those building them, ADUs can boost property values and provide added potential income.
It boggles our mind why our Council rejected this idea previously.
It’s obvious we need more middle and low end local housing, such as duplexes, lot splits, the return of cheap hostels, micro apartments, and while we’re at it, city-sanctioned safe camping sites and city-run safe overnight parking lots with rotating social workers, all of which we’ve advocated for time and time again.
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I lived in Los Angeles where ADUs are allowed and popular. This was pre-Airbnb. They did increase the housing stock. I lived in one above a garage in Santa Monica. It was affordable while most housing options there were not.
However, post-Airbnb the story changed. There's nothing affordable about a "short-term" stay at $1,000 a week.
Reno ADUs will become "short-term" housing for tourists. Housing advocates across the country denounce ADUs because of this.
Please reconsider your support of this "housing" option.