An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) can be much more than additional living space on your property. It can provide flexibility for aging parents, adult children, caregivers, guests, a home office, or future rental opportunities.

With new Maryland legislation expanding opportunities for ADU development, homeowners have another option to consider when planning how their home and property can adapt to changing needs.

A New Opportunity for Maryland Homeowners

At Taylor Made Custom Contracting, we believe your home should adapt as your life changes.

Maryland's new ADU law took effect October 1, 2025, and requires local governments to adopt laws authorizing ADU development by October 1, 2026.

For Maryland homeowners looking for ways to make better use of their property, accommodate family members, or plan for the future, this could create exciting new possibilities.

What Is an Accessory Dwelling Unit?

An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is a smaller, independent living space located on the same property as a primary residence.

An ADU provides independent living facilities and includes permanent provisions for:

• Cooking
• Sanitation
• Eating
• Sleeping

Depending on the property and applicable local requirements, an ADU may be:

• A detached backyard cottage
• An addition connected to the main home
• A converted garage or accessory structure
• An independent living space located within the existing home

Create Space for the People You Love

One of the greatest benefits of an ADU is the flexibility it can provide for your family.

An ADU can give an aging parent a comfortable, private place to live while keeping them close to family. It can provide an adult child with independent living space, accommodate a live-in caregiver, or offer visiting family and friends a comfortable place to stay.

For many homeowners, an ADU can become a long-term solution that adapts as their family's needs change.

How Can an ADU Support Aging in Place?

An ADU designed for aging in place can provide comfort, safety, and independence while allowing loved ones to remain close.

Thoughtful design features can include:

• Zero-step or low-threshold entrances
• Wider doorways
• Curbless showers
• Grab-bar reinforcement
• Accessible bathroom layouts
• Lever-style hardware
• Improved lighting
• Easy-to-use kitchens
• Single-level living

Planning these features from the beginning can create a home that is beautiful and comfortable today while making it easier to use for years to come.

More Than Just a Place to Live

An ADU can serve different purposes throughout its lifetime.

A properly designed ADU could provide living space for a parent or adult child today and later serve as a caregiver residence, guest suite, home office, or rental property.

As your needs change, the way you use the space can change with you.

For homeowners thinking about the future, an ADU can provide valuable flexibility while making better use of their existing property.

What Maryland Homeowners Should Know About ADU Requirements

Maryland's new legislation establishes a statewide framework for ADUs, but that doesn't mean every property will have identical requirements.

Local zoning and building codes, utilities, site conditions, setbacks, permits, public health and safety requirements, and other property-specific considerations can affect whether and how an ADU can be built.

That's why understanding your individual property should be one of the first steps in planning an ADU.

How Large Can an ADU Be in Maryland?

Under Maryland law, an ADU may not be greater than 75% of the size of the primary single-family detached dwelling.

Local zoning requirements, setbacks, utilities, site conditions, and other property-specific factors may further affect the size and design of an ADU.

Does the Homeowner Have to Live on the Property?

Owner-occupancy and rental requirements may vary by jurisdiction and by how the ADU will be used.

Homeowners should review the requirements that apply to their specific property before planning or renting an ADU.

Does an ADU Require a Permit?

Yes. ADU construction will require applicable permits and approvals.

The exact requirements can vary depending on the jurisdiction, property, utilities, building design, site conditions, and proposed use.

Understanding these requirements early in the planning process can help prevent costly design changes later.

Can an HOA Prohibit an ADU?

Maryland law generally prevents an HOA or other property restriction from prohibiting the development of an otherwise lawful ADU.

However, reasonable restrictions may still apply, and the law does not prevent restrictions on short-term ADU rentals.

Homeowners with an HOA should review their community requirements as part of the early planning process.

Can an ADU Be Rented?

An ADU may potentially be used as a rental property, subject to applicable state and local requirements.

Rental licensing, occupancy requirements, and short-term rental restrictions can vary by jurisdiction. Homeowners considering rental income as part of their ADU plans should determine which local requirements apply to their property.

Where Can an ADU Be Located?

An ADU may be detached, attached to the primary home, or located within the primary dwelling, depending on the property and applicable requirements.

The allowable location of a detached ADU may be affected by setbacks, lot configuration, utilities, existing structures, zoning, and other site-specific requirements.

Determining where an ADU can legally and practically be located should happen before beginning the final design.

Does an ADU Need Its Own Kitchen and Bathroom?

Yes. An ADU is an independent dwelling unit and must provide permanent facilities for cooking, sanitation, eating, and sleeping.

In practical terms, this means an ADU needs its own kitchen and bathroom facilities rather than simply being an extra bedroom or home office.

Can My Property Accommodate an ADU?

Not every ADU will look the same, and determining what can be built starts with the property itself.

Some homeowners may have room for a detached backyard ADU, while others may be better suited for an attached addition, garage conversion, or interior ADU.

Factors such as the size and configuration of the lot, existing home, setbacks, utilities, accessibility, parking, and the intended use of the space should all be considered.

A thoughtful design-build process can help determine which type of ADU makes the most sense for both the property and the people who will use it.

How Much Does It Cost to Build an ADU in Maryland?

There isn't one standard price for building an ADU.

The cost can vary significantly depending on whether you're creating a detached structure, building an addition, converting existing space, or renovating a garage.

Other factors—including site work, utilities, kitchens and bathrooms, finishes, accessibility features, permitting, and the complexity of construction—can also affect the overall investment.

Before establishing a realistic budget, it's important to evaluate both the property and the type of ADU you're considering.

Designing an ADU for Today and the Future

At Taylor Made Custom Contracting, we believe a successful ADU should be designed around the people who will use it—not simply around the available square footage.

When planning an ADU, consider how the space may need to function five, ten, or even twenty years from now.

An ADU originally designed for an aging parent may eventually be used by an adult child, caregiver, guest, or tenant. Features such as accessible entrances, wider doorways, comfortable bathrooms, thoughtful lighting, and flexible layouts can make the space useful through many stages of life.

Our experience with aging-in-place remodeling, accessible design, in-law suites, home additions, and multigenerational living spaces helps us look beyond today's immediate needs and plan for how a space may be used in the future.

Is an ADU Right for Your Maryland Home?

An ADU can be much more than a backyard building.

It can help you keep family close, support aging in place, provide greater independence, create flexible living space, and potentially generate rental income.

Taylor Made Custom Contracting designs and builds additions, in-law suites, accessible living spaces, and other remodeling projects for homeowners throughout Harford, Baltimore, and Cecil counties in Maryland.

Whether you're considering an ADU for aging parents, adult children, caregiving, guests, a home office, or future rental income, thoughtful planning can help you create a space that works for your family today and adapts to your needs tomorrow.

Considering an ADU for your property? Contact Taylor Made Custom Contracting to start exploring what's possible for your home.