THE VERSATILITY OF AN ACCESSORY RESIDENTIAL UNIT (ARU)

Accessory Residential Units (ARUs) are also commonly known as guest houses, in-law suites, granny flats, and, increasingly, affordable housing options. Whatever your personal needs and goals, ARUs offer homeowners an opportunity to maximize their property’s potential.

ARUs can provide additional living space without the need to add on to your main home. They are fully equipped units with their own kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping facilities, offering a separate living space from the main dwelling. These units are designed to optimize space and feature open floor plans, compact kitchens and multifunctional living areas. An ARU can deliver the practicality you need without compromising style and comfort.

An Accessory Residential Unit (ARU) can come in various forms, such as converted garages, basement apartments, or separate structures in the backyard. At DMA, we have designed ARUs as small as 400 square feet, but most commonly, they are 1000 square feet, which is the limit imposed in Teton County, Wyoming. We have created ARUs attached to the main house as a practical solution to accommodate aging parents, providing them with independence and privacy. Most often, we have designed ARUs that are situated above garages, workshops, or storage buildings, offering elevated living spaces and views.

In both Jackson Hole and Teton Valley, rules are changing to support ARUs as they are seen as a positive, flexible and sustainable option using existing land to address the shortage of housing. The regulations and zoning requirements for ARUs vary by county and subdivision, and not all areas permit or regulate them in the same way. Zoning laws govern ARU construction, including size restrictions, setback requirements, and occupancy regulations. If you are considering an ARU, we can research these parameters and work with you to create a unit that serves your specific purposes.

It is important to note that adding an ARU can increase the value of your property, providing a return on investment should you decide to sell in the future. An ARU enhances your value by providing additional flexible living space that can be converted to each owner’s needs or generate extra rental income. Contact us to begin the journey of creating your own Accessory Residential Unit. We’re ready whenever you are.

It’s wonderful to recharge outdoors during the long days of summer. We thought it would be fun to share some photos of our staff enjoying our ‘piece of paradise’. We hope you enjoy your last days of summer in Jackson Hole or Teton Valley with friends and family.

A FOND FAREWELL TO ATIA

We have been fortunate to have Atia Rahman working at DMA for the past three years. Atia was born in India and grew up in Qatar. She earned her Bachelor of Architecture from the Birla Institute of Technology in India and followed that by earning a two-year Masters of Architecture degree from Kansas State University. Atia’s skills in using AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, and TwinMotion have made her a valuable member of our team. Unfortunately, her student visa and extensions are expiring, so she will be leaving Jackson Hole. With her work experience and knowledge of many languages, we are confident that she has a bright professional career ahead.

NOTEWORTHY - AN INTERVIEW WITH SKIP WRIGHT-CLARK

Homestead 2024

The current issue of Homestead features a wonderful article about Skip Wright-Clark and his 118-year-old home on Fish Creek Road north of Wilson. Kurt Dubbe, a historic preservation architect, was honored to be involved in collecting Skip’s rich oral history. Read the article here to learn more about Skip and his home, which is a great example of vernacular architecture built from lodgepole pine logs harvested from the Wilson Faces.