We are calling on the City Council to pass quick-fix zoning legislation that can help deliver more housing now! There are two modest solutions that could go a long way to deliver more housing and support affordability in our region: Easing restrictions on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and eliminating minimum parking requirements would create thousands of additional affordable rentals and starter homes in Atlanta.

Atlanta’s outdated zoning code is making housing unaffordable. Exclusionary zoning rules keep housing limited in neighborhoods across the city by making more affordable housing types like duplexes, apartments, and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) difficult or illegal to build. Atlanta’s Planning Department knows the zoning code needs revision, and is working on the first zoning code update in 40 years. However, this update won’t take effect until at least 2025! Housing affordability cannot wait that long; we need our council to take action on restrictive zoning now.

Accessory Dwelling Units, sometimes called “granny flats”, are secondary units that can sit on the same lot as a primary residence. ADUs often serve as affordable rental options for seniors or students, they can house an aging family member, and also provide extra income for a homeowner. ADUs used to be common throughout Atlanta, but in the 1950’s our city imposed restrictions as part of an effort to enforce residential segregation. Today ADUs are only allowed in certain neighborhoods, they cannot be attached to the main residence, and restrictions on lot sizes, square footage, and setbacks often make them infeasible. To make ADUs work as a housing solution we need to loosen these restrictions across the city.

Minimum parking requirements dictate that homes and apartments must be built with a certain number of parking spots. These rules frequently require much more parking than is needed. Parking is expensive (often as much as 20% of construction costs), and this cost gets passed on to residents through higher rents or listing prices, even if they don’t drive. While parking minimums have already been repealed in denser parts of Atlanta, let’s go all the way and repeal for the rest of the city!

We are calling on the City Council to pass legislation that will:

• Repeal all remaining minimum parking requirements

• Increase the allowed ADU height and floor area to accommodate 2-bedroom units

• Legalize attached ADUs in R-5 districts

• Allow zero lot line subdivision of ADUs in R-5 districts to allow ADUs to be sold separately

Tell your city council that you support housing action now!