After City Council action, accessory dwelling units will be easier to add in Broomfield

With approval from the Broomfield City Council, restrictions on accessory dwelling units — sometimes known as “granny flats” or “mother-in-law apartments” — will be lessened in the city.

The ordinance, approved in Tuesday night’s council meeting, makes it easier for people to add ADUs on their properties and modernizes the municipal code’s language surrounding some types of ADUs, according to a council memo.

The ordinance allows ADUs to be constructed without the owner of the property occupying the principal dwelling unit — the main home — or the ADU itself, and allows manufactured homes, tiny homes and tiny houses to be used as ADUs.

The ordinance does not change the city’s rule against temporary structures, recreational and other vehicles, or shipping containers being used as ADUs. It