Simplified: Minnehaha County Commissioners unanimously passed the first reading of an ordinance to allow Accessible Dwelling Units (ADU) in the county, as well as in the parts of the county governed by both the county and the city of Sioux Falls.
Why it matters
- ADUs can help fill the need for "middle housing" (i.e. something between a single-family home and a large apartment building). Other examples of middle housing include duplexes, four-plexes, etc.
- Folks can build an ADU that's attached or detached from their home and use it as an apartment for a relative, a short-term rental property, a place for a full-time caretaker to live, etc. Think of it like an apartment above the garage or a tiny house in the backyard.
- ADUs initially came up in discussion during the county's comprehensive planning process, and now they're nearly a reality.
"I think there are a lot of people that are ready to go as soon as the ordinance is adopted to put their ADU up in the backyard," said Kevin Hoekman with the county planning department.
What happens next?
Commissioners will hold a public hearing on April 22, after which they're expected to hold a final vote on the ordinance.
