Is it possible to expand your property rights and increase housing supply, while preserving Kalama’s small town feel? Absolutely! And that’s exactly what the City Council accomplished this past year by approving new code for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). What are ADUs? They are small, self-contained, and complete living spaces (i.e., providing independent living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation) located on the same lot as an existing or proposed single-family residence.

There are two kinds of ADUs:

• attached - contained within or directly connected to the primary residence) and
• detached - physically separate from the primary residence

Kalama’s code now allows for one of each. Could an ADU be right for you? This is a great option to generate supplemental rental income and build wealth for homeowners, but there are plenty of other reasons too. Maybe your life circumstances have changed and you’d like to downsize without moving into an apartment. Or you want to provide friends or loved ones (such as recent graduates or elderly family members) with housing while maintaining separate lives and privacy. Perhaps you are looking for a way to have childcare or caregivers close by. Whatever the reasons that might appeal to you, the option for an ADU is a great asset for Kalama. It can provide economic benefits and flexible housing solutions for residents’ changing needs. ADUs are also often invisible from the street, which means they won’t detract from the feel of our beautiful small town neighborhoods. We are working to provide thoughtful answers some frequently asked questions, which will be included on this page. 

If you’d like to know more about ADUs, please submit any questions to building@cityofkalama.com!