Accessory Dwelling Units

Commonly referred to as in-law apartments or carriage homes, accessory dwelling units (“ADUs”) are private living quarters with all the amenities you would expect in an apartment or single family home including a kitchen, bathroom and living space. They are secondary housing units to a primary single family residence and are commonly attached to a home, located in a basement, above a garage, or a tiny house in a backyard.

As the average household size in White Bear Lake has decreased dramatically since the 1970’s, homeowners are finding they may have more space than they need, but still prefer remaining in their single family house. An ADU offers them the ability to utilize extra space to provide housing for relatives or a caregiver, or as an income generating use by renting out the space to a tenant.

Planning for an Accessory Dwelling Unit

Considering the addition of an ADU to your home? Family Housing Fund's Home + home Twin Cities ADU Guidebook suggests the following steps in your planning process:

Research: Determine what your goals are and how they can be achieved within the City's zoning code
Design Ideas: Work on your own or with a designer to visualize your ADU ideas to meet your goals
Team Selection: Learn about the different types of development teams, what to prepare when contacting a company, and considerations when hiring a company and signing a contract
Finances: Learn about resources to help make an informed decision; learn about potential financing options
Permits: Call the Community Development Department to start the process of securing a conditional use permit to have an ADU on your property. Ensure you or your contractor works with the Building Department officials to secure the necessary building permits
Construction: Learn what to expect during construction and understand your responsibilities
Move In: Secure a rental permit if renting the ADU to a non-relative; research resources on how to be a landlord

White Bear Lake Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulations

ADUs are regulated in the Zoning Code under Section 1302.125, Home Accessory Apartments. Accessory Dwelling Units require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), typically a three step process:

Begins with the homeowner submitting a Land Use Application, including plans, to the Community Development Department
City staff brings the application to the Planning Commission and makes a recommendation for approval as-is, approval with additional conditions or denial. In turn, the Planning Commission hears the case and makes one of the above recommendations to City Council
City Council hears the case and has the final authority in approving or denying the application

The process typically takes 2-3 months and requires a non-refundable application fee.

Some other relevant code provisions include (See Section 1302.125 of the zoning code for the full requirements):

ADUs shall be located in existing single family structures (principal or accessory), with the owner of the single family structure residing in the principal structure. Separate ownership of the accessory unit is not permissible
Exterior modifications which detract from the single family character of the neighborhood will not be permitted
ADUs shall not exceed 880 square feet or 40% of the habitable area within the single family home, whichever is less
Where conditions or circumstances of a specific property make implementation of the zoning code standards impractical, City Council may alter the conditions of the section for the specific property in question
If you are renting an ADU to a non-relative you are required to have a rental license