Here's What the Tiny House in Your Backyard Can Look Like

"These ADUs, which range from stand-alone one-bedrooms to a studio dropped on top of a garage, have already been reviewed for code and zoning compliance. If your property qualifies for an ADU, once you pick a plan, the city will connect you with the designer who created it to help get it approved for your specific site."

"There's VL Architects' 444-square-foot detached studio that "fits most NYC residential lots" and looks the most like a classic tiny house, complete with solar panels on the roof. Or Unit Two Development's one-bed that is a bit larger - 600 square feet - and comes with sliding glass doors."

"A little bit more creative is architects Anna Morrison and Leonardo Leiva Rivera's one-bedroom design that attaches directly to the back of a townhouse. It not only creates a fully separate unit, the roof becomes a deck for the townhouse itself without having to build an entryway - it's accessible through a second-story window."

New York City has released a collection of preapproved designs for ancillary dwelling units (ADUs) as part of former Mayor Eric Adams's City of Yes initiative, which legalized these structures. The designs range from 444-square-foot detached studios to 600-square-foot one-bedroom units, with options for both standalone structures and units built atop existing garages. Each design has already undergone code and zoning compliance review. Property owners who qualify can select a design and work directly with the original architect for site-specific approval. Multiple architectural firms contributed designs with varying features, including solar panels, sliding glass doors, and creative configurations like units attached to townhouse backs with roof decks. Additional designs will be added to the city's library as they receive approval.

Read at Curbed