MoCo Housing News: Big Changes are Coming (and some design tips to save your home!)

Hi everyone! As your Multigenerational Living Advisor, I love helping families find ways to live together happily. Today, I want to share some very important updates from Montgomery County, but first, I have to share some "design fails" I’ve seen lately.

Let’s talk about design (The "Please Don't Do This" List)

Sometimes we see things in hotels or on TV that look cool, but they are a bad idea for a real home.

• The Basement Jacuzzi Mistake: A friend showed me a house with a big jacuzzi in the basement. It sounds fancy, right? Nope! The steam and heat had nowhere to go. The ceiling is about to collapse, and there's probably mold everywhere. If you are building a basement suite for aging parents or adult kids, give them a safe roll-in shower. I believe the jacuzzi belongs on a backyard deck.

• The "Barn Door" Problem: You know those sliding doors that look like they belong on a farm? People love putting them in bathrooms now. It looks cool on Instagram, but in real life? But here is the problem: they don't really close all the way! There is no privacy, and you can hear everything. When many people live in one house, everyone needs their privacy. My preference a real door that latches shut!

  
  

Great News from Montgomery County!

Now, for the "expert" part. The county is making it much easier for you to build an ADU (like a backyard cottage or a basement apartment) for your parents or your kids.

Here is the latest news:

1. More Space: A new rule (ZTA 26-06) was just introduced. It wants to let you build an ADU that is up to 75% of the size of your main house. This means your family can have a real home with 2 or 3 bedrooms, not just a tiny room.

2. Easier Permits: Building is becoming "By-Right." This is a big deal! It means you don't have to go to a long, expensive public hearing anymore. If you follow the rules, you get your permit. It saves you time and thousands of dollars.

3. No Extra Parking Needed: If you live near the Metro or the new bus lines (such as the US 29 BRT), the county might not require you to build extra parking spots. This is great because you can use that space for a garden or a bigger patio instead of more asphalt.

Why This Matters

Multigenerational living is the best way to keep our families close and save money. Montgomery County is finally making the rules easier for us!

If you are considering adding space for your family, I am here to help. I know the rules, and I can help you avoid those design mistakes (no basement jacuzzis, I promise!).

Send me a message if you want to chat about what you can build on your property!

Talk to you then :)

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)