Accessory Dwellings

Read the adopted ordinance

Read the ordinance adopted(PDF, 503KB) by the City Council on May 20, 2025. The ordinance provides the regulations to build an Accessory Dwelling.

See the latest ADU presentation(PDF, 4MB) to City Council from April 8, 2025.

What is an Accessory Dwelling?

You have probably heard of these. They are often called garage apartments, granny flats, backyard bungalows and backyard cottages. In older parts of Oklahoma City, a home in the backyard was often used as a carriage house and/or caretaker's residence.

garage apartment with green door and car in the driveway
row of garages apartments
craftsmen home with garage apartment behind it
corner lot house with multiple garage apartments off the driveway

While our grandparents and great-grandparents were familiar with this form of housing and may have used it at some point or several points in their lives, the form gradually fell out of favor. Between 1948 and 2009, Oklahoma City’s zoning code allowed “garage apartments” defined as “A living unit for not more than one family erected above a garage” in zones of R-2 (Medium-Low Density Residential District) and greater. However, by 2009, the Code no longer allowed the use anywhere. Recently, across the United States, researchers have promoted “smart growth” strategies, including smaller housing types that would allow gentle density to bring more people back to city centers. Housing shortages also have sparked a nationwide debate on how to provide the homes needed to meet growing demands. Accessory Dwellings have been identified as one tool in the nation's housing toolbox.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read the accessory dwellings FAQ(PDF, 234KB) .

Read the response from the Utilities Department(PDF, 372KB) about the impact of infill development on the City’s water/sewer system.

Can I build an ADU in my neighborhood?

The City Council approved Accessory Dwellings in the areas of Oklahoma City called Urban Medium and Urban High in the City's comprehensive plan (planokc). Find out if you're in Urban Medium or Urban High by typing your address here.

Historic Preservation and Historic Landmark Neighborhoods will continue to need approval for an ADU by rezoning and approval of design by the Historic Preservation Commission.

What regulations are planned so that Accessory Dwellings fit into existing neighborhoods?

To ensure a good fit with residential neighborhoods, the proposal includes the following conditions:

  1. The total floor area of an Accessory Dwelling shall not exceed 950 square feet (This is the maximum square footage allowed for the whole dwelling.)
  2. All buildings and paving, including the Accessory Dwelling, may cover no more than 50% of the lot. This maintains the current residential lot coverage limit of 50 percent and may decrease the total square footage permitted for an accessory dwelling, depending on the size of existing homes and other coverages like patios, driveways, swimming pools, sheds, etc.
  3. The height of an Accessory Dwelling may not exceed 25 feet.
  4. Existing front, side and rear yard setback requirements must be maintained.
graphic depiction of accessory dwelling behind house

How will parking for the Accessory Dwelling be accommodated?

A Planning Department study found that most homes within the Urban Medium and Urban High LUTAs are within ¼-mile (15-minute walk) to a transit stop or bike lane. To encourage the use of these other modes of transportation, the ordinance only requires parking for an Accessory Dwelling if the street width is less than 26 feet or if the dwelling is larger than 600-sqaure feet. Any new parking provided may not be located in the front yard of the primary dwelling.

What are the benefits of Accessory Dwellings?

  • EXPAND HOUSING IN THE CITY. We want to provide housing choices for our growing and changing population in areas of the city where services already exist. According to the 2020 US Census, household sizes are getting smaller, increasing the demand for smaller homes and more housing types. Other economic trends are creating the need for more housing choices.
  • ALLOW EXISTING NON-CONFORMING ACCESSORY DWELLINGS TO BECOME LEGAL. Many Accessory Dwellings exist across the city. These secondary dwellings are currently not allowed and so cannot be easily maintained or upgraded. Allowing the housing type will make it legal for the structures to be maintained and their use continued.
  • INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. Smaller dwellings provide opportunities for lower monthly housing payments in traditional neighborhoods where residents might otherwise be “priced out”. If homes are built near to bus transit and other services, further savings can be derived from owning fewer cars, buying less gas, and paying less car insurance. Those savings can help families build wealth to expand their housing choices over the years.
  • SUPPORT HOME OWNERSHIP. Allowing an Accessory Dwelling may provide an owner with more income to support mortgage payments and make house and lawn improvements.
  • PROVIDE SOCIAL BENEFITS OF MULTI-GENERATIONAL HOUSING. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, more than 35,000 homes in Oklahoma City are owned by single individuals over the age of 65. As this population ages, Accessory Dwellings could provide one tool for aging seniors to stay in their community while receiving help from relatives and friends. For younger residents, an Accessory Dwelling may allow them to start their adult lives in desirable neighborhoods with multi-generational involvement in their lives.
  • PROVIDE SOCIAL BENEFITS OF HEALTH. More walking and biking decreases car trips and negative health impacts of respiratory issues and obesity.
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