PHOENIX — The Tempe City Council on Thursday made it a simpler process for home owners to install a backyard casita.
The council passed a resolution that waives “the initial plan review fee” of more than $2,000 for city-approved designs, according to a press release.
Additionally, Tempe is unveiling a massive selection of casitas — officially labeled “Accessory Dwelling Units” (ADUs) — with the waived fee applicable for any and all designs.
With the waiver and cost-efficient city designs, Tempe estimates home owners can save at least $10,000.
“Tempe is thinking creatively about housing,” Tempe Mayor Corey Woods said in the release. “These standard ADU plans will help residents add flexible, sustainable homes to their properties while saving time and money. It’s a smart solution that supports our community.”
Any application for an ADU requires a site permit “and likely a grading and drainage permit.”
View the latest ADU ordinance here.
Tempe holding ADU design contest
Local architects and designers can submit their casita renderings for the Tempe ADU Design Competition. The submissions must meet the city’s zoning and building requirements to qualify.
Once the submission period passes, a mixed panel of local pros and community members will narrow the designs down to about 10.
Each submission will be judged by the following five standards:
- Aesthetics and architecture
- Cost to construct
- Sustainability
- Context and versatility
- Accessibility
To create a large submission pool, the city also is “pursuing potential grant funding” so individuals’ designs don’t have to stay renderings, but have the possibility of seeing reality.
City residents will then vote on the best ADU design from Aug. 18-29 and the winners will be accessible in the Tempe’s official casita library.
The city said further competition details will be released in the coming weeks.
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