Accessory Living Unit (ALU)

Accessory Living Unit (ALU) Definition

An Accessory Living Unit (ALU) is a living unit which is an extension of (being attached or detached), and incidental and subordinate to, a single-family residential unit and shall be one of the following three types:

  1. Accessory Apartment: A life safety compliant “accessory living unit”, allowed within applicable zones by approval from the community development department and with applicable building permits, which may include a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping areas. It is contained within the primary dwelling, may be separated with a dedicated access, and may be occupied by no more than four (4) individuals related by blood, marriage, adoption, or approved foster care; or no more than two (2) unrelated individuals in addition to the “family or household” that occupies the primary dwelling.
  2. Extended Living Area: A life safety compliant “accessory living unit” which may include a kitchen, bathroom, and living areas, and shall provide continuous free flow access between living areas within the primary dwelling, which may not be occupied by individuals in addition to the “family or household” that occupies the primary dwelling.
  3. Guesthouse: A life safety compliant “accessory living unit”, allowed within applicable zones by approval from the community development department and with applicable building permits, which may include a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping areas. It is typically detached from the primary dwelling and may be occupied by no more than four (4) individuals related by blood, marriage, adoption, or approved foster care; or no more than two (2) unrelated individuals in addition to the “family or household” that occupies the primary dwelling.

For more details see this resource