Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Accessory Dwelling Units can provide additional housing in Fridley and flexibility for homeowners in how to use their property. An ADU could be an attic or basement apartment, a space above a garage, an add-on space attached to a home, or a separate small structure in the back yard.  

ADUs can support lifecycle housing needs. Over time, rental income provided by an ADU can help homeowners pay their mortgages or save. Homeowners often use their ADU to house a family member who needs care, or they may move into the ADU themselves to downsize.

In the Twin Cities, the Family Housing Fund has developed extensive resources regarding ADUs. On their website, you can view:

• Home+home: Twin Cities ADU Guidebook
• ADU Idea Book for Mid-Century Homes
• List of ADU Designers & Contractors

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Livable Communities Housing division provides additional resources on ADUs throughout the country, including photos of many existing ADUs:

• The ABCs of ADUs: A Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units and How They Expand Housing Options for People of All Ages
• Home Today, Home Tomorrow Design Challenge Toolkit (featuring Universal Design)

HousingWorksRI at Roger Williams University provides example plans for adding an ADU to several of Fridley's common housing types, including Ranch (Rambler) homes, Split Level, and Cape Cod homes.

Fridley’s requirements for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are summarized in this PDF handout(PDF, 455KB). 

To get an ADU permit for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), property owners must:

• Create a detailed drawing and site plan. Plans should show both the existing (current) conditions/layout, and the proposed conditions/layout after the ADU is constructed.
  • Site plan should show setbacks from property lines.
  • Existing & proposed layouts should show the square footage of the principal unit and the ADU.
  • If modifications are required, building plans should follow requirements of the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code.
  • The site plan should show adequate off-street parking for the principal home and the ADU.
• Submit the plans online to the Fridley Planning Department, and if necessary, the Fridley Building Inspections Department.
  • An  ADU permit  is required for all ADUs.
  • A Building Permit is required for any building modifications
  • A Special Use Permit is required for a detached ADU. Special Use Permit applications are accepted once a month on dedicated Application Deadlines. Public Hearings are held for Special Use Permit applications.
  • The application fee for a Special Use Permit for a detached ADU is $1,000.
• Before the Certificate of Occupancy for the ADU is issued, there should be a restriction recorded against the property requiring owner occupancy with respect to at least one of the units. 
  • A Fridley rental license for the non-owner-occupied unit is required. Apply for a rental license after the ADU receives a Certificate of Occupancy.

ADUs can be located throughout the City of Fridley on residential lots with a detached single family home. The specific zoning districts where ADUs are allowed are 

• R-1, One Family Dwelling District
• R-2, Two-Family Dwelling District
• R-3,  General Multiple Dwelling District
• S-1, Hyde Park Zoning District

You can learn more about an individual property's zoning online or by contacting the Fridley Planning Department at 763-572-3592 or by email.

An ADU may not be located in front of the main home/principal structure, and it must meet the setback and lot coverage requirements for the zoning district where it is located, with one exception: a detached ADU may be as close as 10 feet to the rear property line. (Regardless of location, detached ADUs require a Special Use Permit). 

ADUs may only be added to a lot with a detached single family home. There may not be more than one ADU per lot.

Balconies and decks should not overlook adjacent residential properties. Exterior stairways should be located to minimize visibility from the street and, to the extent possible, from neighboring property.

Some ADUs might have been constructed before Fridley's land use regulations were adopted, or they may have been built without official approval. Regardless of the property’s history, homeowners with an existing ADU can now apply for a permit to acknowledge the unit as a legal component of the property. 

To receive a permit and become a legal unit, the ADU will need to meet current code requirements.

Fridley’s requirements for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are summarized in this PDF handout. 

Approval of an Internal or Attached ADU

• If you believe your proposed ADU meets Fridley's requirements, you may apply for an ADU Permit.

  • Create detailed drawings and a site plan. Plans should show both the existing (current) conditions/layout, and the proposed conditions/layout after the ADU is constructed.
    • Site plan should show setbacks from property lines.
    • Existing & proposed layouts should show the square footage of the principal unit and the ADU.
    • The site plan should show adequate off-street parking for the principal home and the ADU.

• If your ADU requires modifications to the building, you may apply for a Building Permit after receiving your ADU permit.

  • To get a building permit for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), property owners must:

    • Building plans should follow requirements of the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code.
• Once construction is finished and you have received a Certificate of Occupancy, apply for a Rental License.
  • A restrictive covenant requiring owner occupancy of the property must be recorded before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

Approval of a Detached or Freestanding ADU

1. First, apply for an ADU Permit.

   • Create detailed drawings and a site plan. Plans should show both the existing (current) conditions/layout, and the proposed conditions/layout after the ADU is constructed.
     • Site plan should show setbacks from property lines.
     • Existing & proposed layouts should show the square footage of the principal unit and the ADU.
     • The site plan should show adequate off-street parking for the principal home and the ADU.
2. After an ADU Permit is approved, you may apply for a Special Use Permit.
   • Special Use Permit applications are accepted once a month on dedicated Application Deadlines. Public Hearings are held for Special Use Permit applications.
     
     

   • The application fee for a Special Use Permit for a detached ADU is $1,000.

3. Once the Special Use Permit is approved, apply for a Building Permit.

   • To get a building permit for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), property owners must:

     • Create a construction drawing and site plan. Plans should show both the existing (current) conditions/layout, and the proposed conditions/layout after the ADU is constructed.
       • Site plan should show setbacks from property lines.
       • Existing & proposed layouts should show the square footage of the principal unit and the ADU.
       • Building plans should follow requirements of the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code.
       • The site plan should show adequate off-street parking for the principal home and the ADU.
4. Once construction is finished and you have received a Certificate of Occupancy, apply for a Rental License.

Either the Accessory Dwelling Unit or the Principal Structure must have a rental license. Visit the Rental Properties webpage or call 763-752-3616 to learn more about the licensing and inspections process and fees.

The owner of a property with an Accessory Dwelling Unit is required to make the property their primary residence. Only one of the units may be rented. A copy of the recorded owner-occupancy document will be required prior to issuing the Certificate of Occupancy for the ADU. 

1. Can a trailer, RV, or a tiny house be an ADU?
   • No, most likely it cannot. In Fridley, an ADU must have a permanent, frost-protected foundation. It must meet building code requirements for a permanent, habitable structure. It must have at least 250 square feet of habitable space, and it must be architecturally compatible with the principal home's structure’s siding, color scheme, roofing materials, roof type and roof pitch
2. Can I turn my garage into an ADU?
   • In Minnesota, turning a garage into an ADU is usually not practical. An ADU must provide adequate insulation and climate control for year-round occupancy. It must be built on a frost-protected foundation. In Fridley, a property with an ADU must still provide the required number of garage stalls.
   • Building an ADU above a garage is allowed in Fridley. 
3. Are there financial resources available to help homeowners build an ADU?
   • Fridley's Housing and Redevelopment Authority provides a variety of of financial resources for property owners. Learn more at FridleyMN.gov/HomePrograms.
4. Where can I get help with planning, permitting, and building an ADU? 
   • The Family Housing Fund provides information about ADU designs & ADU contractors working in the Twin Cities metro.
   • Fridley offers a free Remodeling Advisor service to help home owners plan home projects and provide assistance with reviewing contractors and bids. Call 612-244-2470 to schedule an appointment or learn more at FridleyMN.gov/HomePrograms.