For years now, I’ve seen the rising popularity of ADUs and tiny homes firsthand in Eugene, Oregon. These housing options are clever alternatives for those who want more space or a fresh start. But ADU vs tiny home—what’s the difference? Despite some striking similarities, they’re actually quite different. Understanding these distinctions is critical if you’re thinking about going down this road.
What Is an ADU?
An ADU, also known as a granny flat or in-law suite, is a secondary housing unit on the same property as a primary residence. ADUs have a private entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and living space. This makes them more independent than just adding another bedroom to your house. Think of it like having a mini-apartment in your backyard.
Accessory dwelling units can even be great rental properties, adding another stream of income. For some, building an ADU is a way to generate rental income and help with a mortgage.
Types of ADUs
There are three common ways to incorporate an ADU onto your property.
Attached ADUs
Attached ADUs are extensions of your existing home. They’re essentially additional rooms built onto the side or back of your home. While it may sound simple, it’s more complicated because of building regulations and necessary fire safety precautions.
Detached ADUs
Unlike attached ADUs, detached accessory dwellings are freestanding units, entirely separate from your house. While this option may be impacted by setback limitations due to city code enforcement, you gain more privacy. The construction is often more straightforward as well.
Conversion ADUs
For those looking to utilize already existing square footage, conversion ADUs are the way to go. That old garage that’s become more of a storage unit than anything else? You can transform it into an ADU with some ingenuity, and proper permitting of course. Unused basement space is another excellent example of prime real estate for this type of conversion.
What Is a Tiny Home?
Tiny homes have exploded in popularity. There’s something appealing about living minimally in a smaller space that resonates with so many. Typically, a tiny home has a square footage under 400, maximizing every nook and cranny for efficiency. Park model homes are also gaining traction within this niche, offering alternative housing solutions.
While the mobility of a tiny home depends on its structure—some have wheels, and some don’t—when they’re stationary, they generally occupy their own separate plot of land.
ADU vs Tiny Home: Key Differences
Though often confused for each other, a closer look reveals how different they truly are. These key distinctions can make all the difference in choosing which path to take.
Permanent Structure
ADUs are built with a lasting foundation because they need to meet the same building codes and standards as traditional homes. They’re meant to enhance your existing property value and act as a long-term housing solution. This often means that local zoning laws need to be taken into consideration.
Now, when we consider ADU vs tiny home in this regard, they greatly differ. You’ll often find that while tiny homes might reside on foundations, they can also be built on trailers. This gives them more flexibility in terms of location. Think of them as potentially permanent, unlike ADUs, which are designed for permanence from the start.
Location on Property
Regulations for ADUs often state they need to share a lot with your existing home, but this doesn’t mean they can’t offer privacy and separate living spaces. Tiny homes, on the other hand, might be on a different lot. They can sometimes be permitted as ADUs depending on the property and if they meet the minimum ADU size requirements. Regulations regarding building codes for windows, as just one example, often differ from state to state.
Attachment to the Primary Residence
Conversion and attached ADUs typically modify existing structures, transforming unused spaces into functional living quarters. Meanwhile, a tiny home, when considered an independent entity, will stand alone. But if you were looking at an existing property for sale and weighing out if you want to add an ADU or tiny house, there are other factors at play too.
Advantages and Disadvantages: Weighing Your Options
Both options offer unique benefits. While ADU vs tiny home both have potential drawbacks depending on what you’re looking for, you might find that one greatly outweighs the other. Let’s dive deeper to see.
Pros and Cons of ADUs
Advantages
- Versatility: With various layouts, sizes, and configurations, ADUs cater to various housing needs and you may be able to customize aspects. This allows flexibility to create compact living spaces that work for you or your family members.
- Increased Living Space: ADUs typically offer more living space than a tiny home. You can find floor plans from cozy studios to those that boast multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. In some areas, depending on lot size and other regulatory restrictions, an ADU can reach as large as 1,200 square feet. It’s incredible to transform such a seemingly limited amount of space into a comfortable dwelling. This makes it much easier to maximize space while offering more than just a place to sleep.
- Solid Return on Investment: Long-term, an ADU can boost your property value and generate additional rental income. This makes the project well worth it from a cost-benefit perspective. An ADU offers a way to increase property value while providing additional living spaces.
Disadvantages
- Building Costs: Since ADUs adhere to strict building codes and permits, they can end up with a higher price tag than tiny homes. If that’s something you encounter, look into ways to scale down while keeping within those guidelines. This might mean adjusting the square footage of the unit, or the finishes chosen to come under budget while keeping its integrity.
- Regulatory Requirements: Be prepared to dive deep into local zoning ordinances, as every municipality, county, and even neighborhood can have restrictions about ADUs. These rules and guidelines are meant to create order. While some regulations seem daunting, once you understand their intended purpose they become much clearer.
Pros and Cons of Tiny Homes
Advantages
- Flexibility: If wanderlust calls, a tiny house could be just what you need. Just hook it up and move on to the next adventure. Many are designed for exactly this. However, some people might need their home on a more permanent foundation. Luckily, there’s usually an option that caters to every individual and their specific wants and needs. This provides housing solutions that wouldn’t be possible with traditional homes.
- Affordability: Typically, due to the size and the materials used to construct a tiny home, it is often less expensive than a standard ADU. Plus, you won’t believe the creative storage solutions in such a small space. This makes them great options for those seeking more affordable housing without sacrificing efficient living spaces.
- Sustainability: Living in a tiny home might mean embracing a lower carbon footprint, as many are made using eco-conscious materials. Tiny homes offer the chance to decrease your environmental footprint while still enjoying a comfortable living environment.
Disadvantages
- Space: This isn’t for everyone. Less square footage can be restricting and impact your lifestyle. In this case, you really need to focus on how to maximize space since you’ll need to be comfortable with living minimally.
- Zoning Issues: While you’d think there’d be less, zoning for tiny homes can be tricky too and vary depending on the location. Navigating those codes might mean applying for permits, especially if you are thinking about downsizing to an existing development specifically created for the minimal-living trend. It can also be tricky finding locations that allow for a detached tiny home as part of their local zoning laws.
- Resale Value: Unlike an ADU which typically increases your property’s resale, tiny homes sometimes don’t offer the same return. It might make it trickier to find someone in a niche market depending on location. Of course this isn’t a one size fits all answer and you need to think critically about how long you plan on staying there.
Which One Is Right For You?
Deciding between these two exceptional options hinges on individual situations. Think critically about what you are looking to achieve and be honest. It could even help to create a spreadsheet or document outlining your pros and cons, which one requires more compromise or ticks off the non-negotiables. Consider if you are looking for something that will generate rental income, or act as a permanent structure on your property.
For those with property and room to build an ADU, either as additional income or even for family, the transition is seamless and extremely gratifying. This also provides separate living for those who might want a bit more privacy than a traditional home offers.
Final Thoughts on ADU vs Tiny Home
When looking at the pros and cons of ADU vs tiny home, remember that while they both are designed to offer alternative solutions to the modern-day housing dilemma, they serve different purposes. No matter what route you decide to take, with enough thoughtful planning, you will come to a result you’re happy with. For assistance on answering any lingering questions you may have, contact Eugene ADU Builders today!
FAQs about ADU vs tiny home
What is the difference between an ADU and a tiny house?
While both options are often much smaller than the standard single-family residence and offer the chance to downsize or diversify living situations, tiny homes don’t need to follow the same building code regulations as ADUs and are often mobile. ADUs are classified as additional dwelling units located on the same lot as your main home. This means there are specific requirements that need to be met when building one.
Is building an ADU worth it?
Whether or not you’ll see a high enough return on investment from building an ADU often depends on if you plan to live in it yourself or use it as an additional source of income, in which case you’ll rent it. From a financial standpoint it only makes sense if you plan to recoup those costs at some point, which is entirely doable in today’s housing market and higher cost of living. ADUs are becoming more and more common, as people are seeking ways to generate rental income from their property.
