Your ADU Readiness Score is only the starting point.
If you received an ADU Readiness Score, you have taken an important first step. The score can indicate whether your property has some of the basic conditions needed for an accessory dwelling unit — but it is not a final determination.
A sound ADU decision usually rests on three factors:
1.Regulatory factors — such as zoning and building code requirements.2.Financial factors — project costs and financing options.3.Rental market conditions — what your unit can realistically earn.
Zoning addresses questions such as whether your property is in a district where an ADU may be allowed, whether the home is detached or semi-detached, and whether the lot has enough area, rear-yard space, or unused floor area. Building code addresses different issues, including whether the space can be occupied safely and whether it meets requirements for ceiling height, light, ventilation, exits, fire separation, and utilities.
For example, many homeowners first consider using a basement or cellar. In row houses, however, basement and cellar ADUs must meet specific ceiling-height rules under NYC's ADU program, and window requirements can also be difficult to satisfy.
The more you understand these issues before hiring a professional, the better prepared you will be to ask the right questions — and avoid wasting time or money.
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