The Committee on Housing and Buildings, chaired by Bronx Council Member Pierina Sanchez, voted unanimously on March 9 to approve Intro 421-A as a technicality required to align with the rezoning bundle collectively often known as Metropolis of Sure for Housing Alternative, which handed in December 2024. Intro 421-A was launched to the total council on March 10.
Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit
A Metropolis Council panel superior on Tuesday laws that makes official the legalization of ancillary dwelling models (ADUs), similar to “tiny houses” and basement models, for addition to new or current properties.
The Committee on Housing and Buildings, chaired by Bronx Council Member Pierina Sanchez, voted unanimously on March 9 to approve Intro 421-A as a technicality required to align with the rezoning bundle collectively often known as Metropolis of Sure for Housing Alternative, which handed in December 2024. Intro 421-A was launched to the total council on March 10.
ADUs weren’t a part of the town’s housing code till Metropolis of Sure, which opened the pathway to legalize ADUs in sure non-flood-prone areas, supplied they meet sure necessities. These embody a most measurement of 800 sq. ft and having a separate entrance from the primary dwelling.
Although ADUs would nonetheless be comparatively uncommon beneath the growth, proponents say they may provide some reduction from the housing scarcity by offering an economical possibility for seniors and younger adults, for instance, and making a income stream for householders.
Underneath Metropolis of Sure, roughly 25,000 ADUs, whether or not tiny homes, attic or basement models, or storage conversions, could possibly be added throughout the town within the subsequent 15 years, in keeping with an HPD estimate.
“The Council’s landmark 2024 City for All housing package — which secured more than $5 billion in housing investments — and the City of Yes zoning reforms allowed us to build a little more housing in every neighborhood,” mentioned Sanchez in a press release.
“Those reforms legalized ancillary dwelling units like basement apartments, and Int. 421-A simply aligns the Housing Maintenance Code with those changes so basement apartments in newly built one- and two-family homes can be safely rented.”
Although ADUs have been unlawful, some householders rented their further areas anyway, usually creating security hazards. As an example, 13 New Yorkers died in flooded basement residences throughout Hurricane Ida in 2021.
Underneath the brand new ADU program, householders in search of to construct could be topic to stringent security and occupancy necessities, and people with unlawful basement models could have a pathway to carry them into compliance.
The invoice now advances to Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s desk for his signature.
