House lawmakers moved again Wednesday to legalize the construction of accessory apartments, or granny flats , in residential neighborhoods throughout the state.
They passed a bill, sponsored by Warren Democratic Rep. June Speakman, that would eliminate the requirement that granny flats be used only by family members of the property owner. The legislation would allow homeowners to add an apartment within their house – without seeking special permission – as long as it is within the footprint of the existing structure.
And on lots of 20,000 square feet or more, homeowners could add a detached accessory unit “by right,” or without special permission.
Passage sets up a fight in the Senate
The House vote – 55 to 9 – puts the fate of the bill back in the hands of the Senate, where it died last year. Senate leaders have said they will consider passing an accessory apartments bill, but they expressed concern about new granny flats being too large and “right up to the fence line.”
The accessory apartment bill was the only piece of legislation in House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi’s 14-bill housing affordability package not to pass last year. He made it a top priority this year.