Backyard Cottage, Granny Flat, or Accessory Dwelling Unit? Step One Is THIS!

Thinking about adding an ADU to your property? Whether you call it a backyard cottage, granny flat, in-law suite, guest house, carriage house, or tiny house rental—the very first step isn’t design or construction. It’s finding your plot plan.

A plot plan is basically the map of your property, showing lot lines, buildings, and driveways. Cities require it before they’ll approve permits. Without it, you’re building blind.

👉 In this video, you’ll learn:
✅ What a plot plan is and why it’s critical for ADUs
✅ How to find your plot plan (mortgage docs, Register of Deeds, city planning department)
✅ When you may need a licensed surveyor
✅ How to use your city’s Planning Help Desk to request property information
✅ Key questions to ask your city about setbacks, easements, and zoning rules

Getting your plot plan first helps you avoid zoning violations, neighbor disputes, and wasted time. Once you have it, you can move forward with confidence—designing and building your ADU the right way.
accessory apartment
accessory cottage
accessory dwelling
accessory dwelling unit
accessory housing unit
accessory living quarters
accessory suite
accessory unit
ADU
alley dwelling
alley flat
alley house
ancillary dwelling unit
ancillary unit
back house
backyard cottage
basement apartment
bungalow
carriage house
casita
coach house
companion unit
dawdy house
dependent person’s unit
echo home
elder cottage
English basement
family apartment
family dwelling unit
garage apartment
garage suite
garden cottage
garden house
garden suite
Grand Retreat
granny cottage
granny flat
granny unit
guest cottage
guesthouse
infill housing
in-law
in-law suite
in-law unit
JADU, or junior accessory dwelling unit—a small, internal ADU
Jaffe-gram
laneway house
limited second dwelling
mother-in-law
mother-daughter or mother/daughter house
multigenerational home
Ohana unit
personal accessory dwelling
residential second unit
SDU
second dwelling unit
second unit
secondary apartment
secondary dwelling unit
secondary suite
secondary unit
second family residential unit
sidekick
tiny home
two-family house

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