Raleigh ADU Study
Raleigh ADU Study
Welcome!
In 2019, the City of Raleigh changed its zoning rules to allow accessory dwelling units, commonly known as ADUs, more broadly across the city. This study seeks to understand how ADUs are being used and experienced in Raleigh since that change.
An ADU is a self-contained dwelling unit located on the same property as a primary home. It may be detached, attached, or located within the primary home, such as in a basement or above a garage.
People experience ADUs in different ways. To better understand those experiences, we created five surveys for:
- ADU owners
- People who live in ADUs
- People who live near ADUs
- Professionals who design or build ADUs
- Raleigh community members more broadly
You do not need to own, live in, or live near an ADU to participate. Please select the survey that best reflects your experience or perspective.
Your responses will be kept confidential. Street addresses will be used only to understand which parts of Raleigh are represented and will not be published or shared. Findings will be reported without identifying individual participants. Each survey should only take a few minutes to complete.
Thank you for contributing your voice to this important conversation!
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a small, self-contained home located on the same lot as a primary residence. An ADU has its own kitchen, bathroom, and living space.
ADUs are sometimes called backyard cottages, garage apartments, or in-law suites.
Types of ADUs
Detached: a separate structure, such as a backyard unit or a converted garage.
Attached: an addition built onto the main house.
Internal: space within the main house that is converted, such as a basement or attic.
ADUs in Raleigh
As of July 30, 2026:
205 ADUs have been completed,
82 ADUs have been approved or issued permits, and
33 ADUs are currently under review.
You can learn more about ADUs and ADU policies on the City of Raleigh's website.
This study was created to provide a clearer, evidence-based understanding of Raleigh’s experience with ADUs by bringing together perspectives that are often studied separately or not included at all.
Rather than examining ADUs only through zoning rules, permits, or construction data, this study also documents the experiences of the people who own, occupy, live near, design, and build them, as well as the perspectives of Raleigh community members.
Findings will be shared publicly and used to provide a clearer picture of how ADUs are being used, the experiences people have with them, and the opportunities and challenges associated with developing and living in or near them.
This study is led by WakeUP Wake County and RaleighForward, with support from the AARP Community Challenge grant.
Raleigh ADU Study: Owner Survey
For this study, an ADU is defined as a smaller, self-contained home on the same lot as a primary residence, with its own kitchen, bathroom, and living space.This survey is for property owners who have...
Raleigh ADU Study: Occupant Survey
For this study, an ADU is defined as a smaller, self-contained home on the same lot as a primary residence, with its own kitchen, bathroom, and living space.This survey is for those currently living...
Raleigh ADU Study: Neighbor Survey
For this study, an ADU is defined as a smaller, self-contained home on the same lot as a primary residence, with its own kitchen, bathroom, and living space.This survey is for people who live next to or...
Raleigh ADU Study: General Survey
For this study, an ADU is defined as a smaller, self-contained home on the same lot as a primary residence, with its own kitchen, bathroom, and living space.This survey is for people who do not own, occupy,...
Raleigh ADU Study: Designer/Builder Survey
For this study, an ADU is defined as a smaller, self-contained home on the same lot as a primary residence, with its own kitchen, bathroom, and living space.This survey is for designers, builders, and...
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Frequently Asked Questions
No! There are separate surveys for ADU owners, occupants, neighbors, general community members, and designers/builders because we want perspectives from everyone in Raleigh.
Please choose the survey that best fits your experience. Each is tailored to a specific perspective, so you only need to complete one.
Each survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
Only WakeUp Wake County researchers will see individual survey responses. No names, addresses, or identifying details will be shared publicly (including the City of Raleigh and Wake County). Results will only be reported in aggregate and, in some cases, anonymous quotes may be included to illustrate common themes.
We ask for your street address for two reasons:
1. To inform engagement. Your address helps us see which neighborhoods and parts of Raleigh are represented in the study. If certain areas are not represented, we'll know to do more outreach there.
2. To inform research. Studies suggest that location can shape how ADUs are used and experienced. Collecting this information will help us examine those patterns locally.
Individual addresses will never be published or shared.
We ask demographic questions for two reasons:
1. To inform engagement. This information helps us make sure we're hearing from a wide mix of Raleigh residents. It also shows us if certain voices are missing, so we can adjust outreach to include them.
2. To inform research. Studies show that people's experiences with and perspectives about ADUs can differ depending on factors like age, income, or racial identity. Collecting demographic information helps us understand those differences in Raleigh.
Individual demographic data will never be published or shared.
Absolutely! Contact our research team via email or voicemail. Be sure to include your name and contact information and we will be in touch about how to get you a copy of the survey in a format that works best for you.
Email: RaleighADUStudy@publicinput.com
Voicemail: 1-855-925-2801 (Project Code= 12075)
Have a question about the Raleigh ADU Study that wasn't addressed in the FAQs above?
Email us at RaleighADUStudy@publicinput.com or leave a voicemail at 1-855-925-2801 (Project Code= 12075) and we will be in touch!
To make sure your comments are considered, please submit feedback using the surveys on this page.
After the surveys close, responses will be analyzed and summarized in a public report. The report will identify common themes, comparisons across groups, and questions that may require additional research.
By documenting how ADUs are being used and experienced in Raleigh, this study can provide a foundation for continued research, community conversations, and informed decision-making about housing.