Homeowners across the state of Maine are being encouraged to explore the many benefits of investing in creating accessory dwelling units, known as “ADU’s” on their property, through a newly launched campaign. The promotion includes a series of videos and a user-friendly website to help educate property owners and provide clarity surrounding the entire process from start to finish.
Under the new law, city-council municipalities have a compliance deadline of July 1, 2026, while towns governed by a town meeting have an additional year, until July 1, 2027.
The legislation builds on the landmark 2022 law, LD 2003, which legalized accessory dwelling units (ADUs) statewide, and initiated long-overdue changes to local land-use regulations. With clearer and more consistent standards, LD 1829 builds on that foundation by making it easier to develop ADUs and multifamily housing. The law revises existing subdivision requirements, removes owner-occupancy mandates, allows multifamily dwellings to qualify, reduces minimum lot sizes, and increases the number of dwelling units permitted on a single lot.
An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is an independent and self-contained residential space that is usually smaller and located on the same lot as a single-family or multi-family home. Also called a granny flat, in-law apartment, carriage house, or secondary suite, an ADU typically includes a kitchen, a bathroom, a separate entrance and sleeping area. It can share utilities or walls with the main home. Common examples include a suite above a garage or main floor, a finished basement apartment, or a detached structure such as a guesthouse or backyard cottage. (RV’s and tiny homes on wheels are not considered ADU’s in Maine).
Many homeowners choose to invest in their property by adding an ADU as a way to keep loved ones close, whether for aging parents, caregivers, or adult children. Others see the financial potential using an ADU as a rental unit to help offset monthly expenses or supplement retirement income. For some seniors, an ADU provides an ideal downsizing solution – allowing them to move into a smaller, more manageable home designed for their current needs, all while remaining on their own property and close to family. Beyond these practical benefits, ADUs can also enhance both property value and appeal, as well as create flexible living options that adapt to a family’s changing needs over time.
By visiting the Maine ADU Guide, homeowners can navigate each phase of the process, starting with an overview of the rules and regulations that apply statewide. From there, users can enter their property address into the Maine ADU Wizard to see what may be possible and explore available options. Considering how you plan to use the ADU—and who will live there now and in the future – can help determine the level of privacy required and set a realistic budget. Adapting an existing interior space, such as a basement or attic, is typically the least expensive option. Expanding your current structure or converting a detached space, like a garage, tends to cost more, while building a standalone ADU generally requires the highest budget. Estimated costs and additional fees which may apply are outlined in the new Maine ADU Guide website.
A growing number of companies in Maine are now offering prefabricated ADUs, either as a new focus or as an addition to their existing home design and construction services. These prefabricated units, sometimes called modular or panelized ADUs, are built off-site in a controlled environment and then transported to the homeowner’s property for installation. As interest in ADUs continues to grow in Maine, these companies are helping make the process more accessible, efficient, and predictable for homeowners looking to invest in their properties. The Maine ADU Guide offers dozens of free floor plans available for download or inspiration, as well as photos and videos of completed projects.
If you need help connecting with utility companies, identifying the right municipal authorities, or finding contractors and vendors to get estimates for your unique project, your trusted REALTOR can provide recommendations. We’re here to guide you through these milestones in homeownership and help protect the value of your property every step of the way.
Nicole Foster is a Windham parent and real estate Broker with 20 years of experience working with buyers, sellers and investors. <
An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is an independent and self-contained residential space that is usually smaller and located on the same lot as a single-family or multi-family home. Also called a granny flat, in-law apartment, carriage house, or secondary suite, an ADU typically includes a kitchen, a bathroom, a separate entrance and sleeping area. It can share utilities or walls with the main home. Common examples include a suite above a garage or main floor, a finished basement apartment, or a detached structure such as a guesthouse or backyard cottage. (RV’s and tiny homes on wheels are not considered ADU’s in Maine).
Many homeowners choose to invest in their property by adding an ADU as a way to keep loved ones close, whether for aging parents, caregivers, or adult children. Others see the financial potential using an ADU as a rental unit to help offset monthly expenses or supplement retirement income. For some seniors, an ADU provides an ideal downsizing solution – allowing them to move into a smaller, more manageable home designed for their current needs, all while remaining on their own property and close to family. Beyond these practical benefits, ADUs can also enhance both property value and appeal, as well as create flexible living options that adapt to a family’s changing needs over time.
By visiting the Maine ADU Guide, homeowners can navigate each phase of the process, starting with an overview of the rules and regulations that apply statewide. From there, users can enter their property address into the Maine ADU Wizard to see what may be possible and explore available options. Considering how you plan to use the ADU—and who will live there now and in the future – can help determine the level of privacy required and set a realistic budget. Adapting an existing interior space, such as a basement or attic, is typically the least expensive option. Expanding your current structure or converting a detached space, like a garage, tends to cost more, while building a standalone ADU generally requires the highest budget. Estimated costs and additional fees which may apply are outlined in the new Maine ADU Guide website.
A growing number of companies in Maine are now offering prefabricated ADUs, either as a new focus or as an addition to their existing home design and construction services. These prefabricated units, sometimes called modular or panelized ADUs, are built off-site in a controlled environment and then transported to the homeowner’s property for installation. As interest in ADUs continues to grow in Maine, these companies are helping make the process more accessible, efficient, and predictable for homeowners looking to invest in their properties. The Maine ADU Guide offers dozens of free floor plans available for download or inspiration, as well as photos and videos of completed projects.
If you need help connecting with utility companies, identifying the right municipal authorities, or finding contractors and vendors to get estimates for your unique project, your trusted REALTOR can provide recommendations. We’re here to guide you through these milestones in homeownership and help protect the value of your property every step of the way.
Nicole Foster is a Windham parent and real estate Broker with 20 years of experience working with buyers, sellers and investors. <
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