Owensboro officials are beginning to explore the idea of allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as a way to expand housing options in the community. An ADU is a smaller, secondary residential unit located on the same property as a primary residence.
Brian Howard, executive director of the Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission, outlined the concept and potential impacts of ADUs during Tuesday’s City Commission meeting. He emphasized that the discussion was meant to be an introduction to the idea, not a formal proposal.
ADU units are self-contained and include living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation facilities. Howard said they can be built in a variety of ways, such as detached backyard cottages, basement conversions, garage apartments, or upper-floor units.
“Accessory dwelling units are always a topic that comes up when we talk about housing opportunities,” Howard said. “This is really just an introduction to hopefully get the conversation going if it’s something the City would like to approach as a housing alternative.”
Howard said ADUs can provide an income stream for homeowners, with some studies showing they may increase resale values by as much as 35 percent. They also offer flexible housing options, such as independent living space for young adults, affordable entry-level housing for couples, or a way for individuals in need of care to live near family without entering assisted living.
“Not everybody can afford to build a new single-family home, but converting a garage or attic may be more cost-effective,” Howard said.
He also noted that ADUs increase housing density in areas where infrastructure is already available, potentially making better use of City services.
However, Howard cautioned that ADUs come with potential challenges. They could alter the character of established neighborhoods, reduce yard space, and increase traffic and parking needs. Issues such as tenant management and property maintenance would also fall on homeowners.
Howard outlined several factors the City would need to address if it chose to allow ADUs, including zoning limits, maximum size, and location. He said that most communities that permit ADUs typically allow only one per lot and restrict detached units to side or rear yards. For attached units, exterior entrances are usually required to be on the side or rear of the home to maintain the neighborhood’s appearance.
He said questions remain about whether ADUs should be allowed by right or require a conditional-use permit, whether owner occupancy should be mandatory, and how neighborhood associations’ private restrictions might apply.
“One of the big questions is whether the property owner should be required to live in either the main structure or the ADU,” Howard said. “Some communities do that, but enforcement is difficult once the property changes hands.”
Howard said Louisville, Paducah, Bowling Green, Lexington, and Oldham County are among Kentucky communities that already regulate ADUs. He said Louisville has even created pre-approved designs for homeowners interested in building units.
He stressed that whether Owensboro moves forward will depend on broader community input.
“This isn’t something our office is saying you need to do,” Howard said. “It’s a larger community-scale issue that needs to be discussed, and whether the community as a whole feels like this is the right thing to do.”
