Fresh Start May: Big News for Families in MoCo!

Happy May! I’m a big supporter of Multigenerational Living. Sharing with you the most recent updates on Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 26-06, and what I have learned so far. April was a busy month for paperwork, but May is where things get exciting. Montgomery County is making it much easier for families to build extra space on their land. Whether you want to help your kids, keep your parents close, or make some extra money, here is how the new rules help you in real life:

1. The "Kids Are Back" Plan

The Situation: Your adult children finished school, but rent is just too expensive. They want to live at home, but everyone needs their own door and their own kitchen! The Good News: The county is working on a new law called ZTA 26-06. It will let you build a backyard cottage or basement suite that is up to 75% of the size of your main house.

• Real Talk: This means you don't have to build a "tiny" room. You can build a real home for them. They get to save money, and you get to see them more often!

2. The "Stay Home" Grandpa

The Situation: Grandpa is stubborn! He says, "I’m not moving to a home with strangers." But his big house is getting hard to clean, and the stairs are scary. The Good News: The county is creating a "Pattern Book" with pre-approved house designs.

• Real Talk: We can pick a beautiful, one-level design from the book that fits right in your backyard. Grandpa gets to stay on his own land with his own TV remote, but you are right there if he needs help. It’s safe, and it’s much cheaper than a nursing home.

  
  

3. The "Smart Money" Owner

The Situation: You have extra space in your yard, and you want your house to "pay you back." You want a rental unit, but you don't want to deal with 5 years of permits.

The Good News: The rules are becoming "By-Right." This is a fancy way of saying: if you follow the simple rules, the county has to give you the permit. No more long, expensive fights.

• Real Talk: You can build a rental suite to help pay your mortgage. And because the county just launched a new Housing Portal, the paperwork is getting much faster and easier to do online.

Ready to find your home?

May. Fresh Start

This month is about a "Fresh Start." The county is finally making it easier for us to take care of our families. If you’ve ever thought, "I wish I had a little more space on my property," now is the time to ask how! Don't just buy a house—buy a property that pays you back!