Many New Jersey towns entirely bar “accessory dwelling units,” or ADUs — secondary apartments that are on the same lot as a main home, sometimes attached to the house. Other towns allow them, but only if the occupant is related to the main home's residents, or older than a certain age.
But new proposed state legislation would require all towns statewide to allow ADUs, and would bar many of the types of restrictions that towns impose. Some people see it as a path to more affordable housing in New Jersey.