Town of LakePark, FL
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ADUs & YOU
Lake Park Public 90-Minute ADU Workshops
March 20, 2021
Lake Park Town Hall
Four available sessions (9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM)
Call 561-881-3320 by March 10 to RSVP
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FAQs
What Is An Accessory Dwelling Unit?
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a second residential unit on your property that is separate from your main home. It can be an apartment located in your primary home (A), or it can be a separate unit attached to the main house (B), or freestanding (C) on the property.
Regardless of where it is located, an ADU must be a complete, self-contained residence that has places for sleeping, bathing, and eating that are separate from the main home.
Why Is Lake Park Considering Allowing Accessory Dwelling Units?
Lake Park has long prided itself on being an affordable-cost-of-living destination nestled in the heart of one of the nation’s most expensive places to live. The Town has always welcomed working-class families with open arms and strives to take the necessary steps to ensure those families thrive in a clean, safe environment. Accessory Dwelling Units can be a key component to maintaining that promise. An Accessory Dwelling Unit creates affordable housing in two ways: the secondary (accessory) dwelling is a small rental unit that will ordinarily rent at a price within the means of lower-income persons; at the same time, the rental income from the ADU can render the primary residence more affordable by virtue of the income it generates for the resident owner of the primary residence.
Who Can Live In An Accessory Dwelling Unit?
Accessory Dwelling Units can be used by a variety of people. They can be used by extended family members as a way to keep relatives together. ADUs can also be rented to tenants seeking an affordable housing alternative to traditional apartment units.
How Can Accessory Dwelling Units Help Homeowners?
An Accessory Dwelling Unit can provide a homeowner with a significant source of additional income. If the ADU is leased to a tenant, the homeowner receives the rent revenue. This additional money can be used for mortgage payments on the property, utility payments, or any other financial obligations. In some cases, the income received from an ADU can be the difference between being able to afford to purchase the property or not being able to become a homeowner.
Are There Already Accessory Dwelling Units In Lake Park?
There are approximately 55 ADUs in Lake Park, all of which were all built before our current zoning codes were written. ADUs have not been permitted in recent years, but now we are considering changes to the zoning to allow new ADUs to be built.
How Can Accessory Dwelling Units Help Working-Class Individuals?
The rent paid for an Accessory Dwelling Unit is often below the average market rate for an area. ADUs create an entirely new affordable housing option for individuals unable to afford full-sized rental apartments or home purchases.
Do Other Cities Or Towns Allow Accessory Dwelling Units?
Accessory Dwelling Units are common across the country. In fact, several Florida municipalities, including Delray Beach and West Palm Beach in Palm Beach County, and Stuart and Palm Bay to the north, also allow ADUs.
Has Lake Park Had Problems With The Accessory Dwelling Units Already Here?
No. Among the ADUs already in Lake Park, none have created any issues concerning traffic, parking, or code violations, which are usually the most common concerns expressed when a city considers allowing ADUs.
Have Other Cities Had Any Problems With Their Accessory Dwelling Units?
Prior to considering these zoning changes we spoke to cities of various sizes that allow ADUs. Very few problems have been reported. In fact, both Delray Beach and West Palm Beach are considering changes to make it even easier to have an ADUs as a way to promote growth in their cities.
Will I Be Able To Participate In The Decision Regarding Allowing Accessory Dwelling Units?
Absolutely. We want to hear your ideas and opinions before deciding whether to make changes to our zoning codes. The fact that you are visiting this web page is a great start in learning more about ADUs. We also want to invite you to a special 90-minute workshop on March 20, 2021. Please call 561-881-3320 by March 10 to RSVP. A total of four possible sessions may be offered (at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM) depending upon the number of RSVPs. Reservations will only be accepted for the earliest available session on a first come, first served basis.