The term Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) might sound pretty industrial but it’s likely you know someone who has one. ADUs are more commonly called mother-in-law suite, guest cottage, garage apartment, pool house or, here in Texas, casita.

ADUs are secondary dwelling spaces on the same property as a larger home.

Putting an ADU on your property can be a great way to increase your living space capacity to add more family or to rearrange to better meet your family’s needs. An in-law suite is ideal for keeping an aging parent close while they still maintain some independence. And a garage apartment is a smart way to give a college-age child some space and privacy as they prepare to leave the nest.

If your family loves to host friends and extended family for visits, a backyard guest cottage gives you a way to spend even more time together when they visit. An ADU can even be an income source if you intend for it to be a rental unit.