ADU Laws by State

Comprehensive 2026 guide to Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations across all 50 states.

14Strong Law States
3Moderate Law States
31Local Control

California

CA
✓ Strong Law

Pioneer state for ADU legislation. Nearly 1 in 5 residential units produced is an ADU. LA leads in c...

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Massachusetts

MA
✓ Strong Law

Major reform in 2024 allowing ADUs by-right in single-family zones statewide for units under 900 sqf...

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Colorado

CO
✓ Strong Law

June 2025 deadline for subject jurisdictions to allow one ADU where single-unit detached dwellings a...

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Washington

WA
✓ Strong Law

Seattle has seen significant ADU construction following state and local reforms. Interest rate incre...

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Oregon

OR
✓ Strong Law

Portland is a national leader in ADU construction. Impact fee waiver in 2010 led to major increase....

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Texas

TX
Local Only

No statewide ADU preemption. Austin and some cities have local ADU ordinances but rules vary dramati...

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Florida

FL

Statewide statute 163.31771 encourages but does not mandate ADU allowances. Miami-Dade and some citi...

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New York

NY
Local Only

NYC legalized ADUs in 2024 via Local Law 126. Statewide legislation is proposed (S4547A, A4854, A677...

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Arizona

AZ
✓ Strong Law

HB 2720 signed May 21, 2024 by Gov. Hobbs. Mandates cities 75k+ allow at least one attached AND one ...

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Illinois

IL
Local Only

No statewide ADU law. HB 4213 failed in January 2025. New HB 3552 proposed for 2025-2026. Chicago li...

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Georgia

GA
Local Only

No statewide ADU preemption. Atlanta, Decatur, and Savannah have local ADU ordinances but rules vary...

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New Jersey

NJ
Local Only

No statewide ADU law. S1106/A2792 proposed for 2024-2025 session would authorize ADUs by-right in si...

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Pennsylvania

PA
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control. Philadelphia has ADU regulations (attached or in acce...

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North Carolina

NC
Local Only

No statewide ADU law. HB 409 (2023) passed the House but died in Senate Rules committee (April 2023)...

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Ohio

OH
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control. Cincinnati was first Ohio city to legalize ADUs (Ordi...

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Michigan

MI
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control. Clark Township allows ADUs in all residential distric...

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Virginia

VA
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control. SB 304 passed Virginia Senate 22-18 in Feb 2024 but w...

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Connecticut

CT
✓ Strong Law

Connecticut became the 8th state to legalize ADUs statewide via Public Act 21-29 (HB 6107) in 2021. ...

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Tennessee

TN
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control. Nashville pioneered with DADU ordinance in 2014 allow...

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Maryland

MD
✓ Strong Law

Maryland passed comprehensive statewide ADU legislation in 2025 (HB 1466/SB 891) - the Accessory Dwe...

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Minnesota

MN
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control. Saint Paul is a national ADU leader with progressive ...

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Indiana

IN
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control. Indiana approaches ADUs through local zoning with sig...

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Wisconsin

WI
Local Only

No statewide ADU law yet but significant legislation pending. AB365 (2025) proposed by Rep. Francesc...

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South Carolina

SC
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control with unique incentive approach. HB 3469 (2025-2026) pr...

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Montana

MT
✓ Strong Law

Strong statewide ADU law 76-2-345 MCA enacted 2023. Municipalities must allow minimum one ADU by rig...

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Nevada

NV
Moderate

AB 396 (2025) requires qualifying large cities to adopt ADU ordinances by Jan 1, 2026 or ADUs become...

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Alabama

AL
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - Alabama's lack of statewide building code means ADU regulations are entirely ...

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Louisiana

LA
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - Louisiana operates under Home Rule meaning ADU regulations vary by Parish and...

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Kentucky

KY
Local Only

No current statewide ADU law - entirely local control. HB 576 (2025) proposed that 'at least one acc...

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Iowa

IA
✓ Strong Law

Strong statewide ADU law - SF 592 signed by Governor Kim Reynolds May 1, 2025, effective July 1, 202...

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Kansas

KS
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control. Topeka passed ordinance allowing ADUs in all single-f...

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Nebraska

NE
Moderate

Moderate state law - Municipal Density and Missing Middle Housing Act (LB866) defines ADUs and appli...

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Idaho

ID
Moderate

Moderate statewide law H0166 (2023) effective July 1, 2023 - focuses narrowly on prohibiting restric...

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Utah

UT
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control. Salt Lake County adopted ordinance June 4, 2024 to re...

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Wyoming

WY
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control with limited adoption. Only some counties permit ADUs:...

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Mississippi

MS
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control with generally very restrictive approach. Described as...

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Arkansas

AR
✓ Strong Law

MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH: Arkansas Act 313 (2025) creates strong statewide ADU mandate - requires every mu...

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Oklahoma

OK
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local municipal control. Oklahoma City Council approved ordinance ea...

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Hawaii

HI
Local Only

Hawaii REVERSED from state mandate to local control - HB516 (2025) repealed previous state requireme...

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Alaska

AK
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control with significant community diversity. Anchorage leads ...

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Vermont

VT
✓ Strong Law

Strong statewide ADU law - Vermont's 'law on equal treatment of housing and town bylaws' requires al...

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Maine

ME
✓ Strong Law

EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG statewide law - LD 1829 (2025) may be strongest ADU law in nation! Requires ALL...

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New Hampshire

NH
✓ Strong Law

Strong statewide ADU law - New Hampshire Accessory Dwelling Units statute (RSA 674:71-73) became law...

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Rhode Island

RI
Limited

Limited statewide ADU law - Rhode Island Zoning Enabling Act (§45-27-37(e)) requires localities to p...

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Delaware

DE
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control. SB23 (2024) would have required local governments to ...

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Missouri

MO
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control with progressive urban areas leading. St. Louis Board ...

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New Mexico

NM
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control with cultural acceptance of 'casitas'. Albuquerque zon...

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North Dakota

ND
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control with generally restrictive policies. Described as havi...

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South Dakota

SD
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control with some progressive local developments. Only one ADU...

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West Virginia

WV
Local Only

No statewide ADU law - entirely local control with significant county-by-county variation. Hardy Cou...

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⚠️ Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. ADU laws, regulations, and requirements vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. While we strive to keep this information accurate and up-to-date, we make no representations or warranties of any kind about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of this information. Always consult with qualified local professionals, including attorneys, architects, and your local planning department, before making any decisions regarding ADU construction or investment. Use of this information is at your own risk.

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Last updated: February 2026 | Data from state legislation and municipal codes