WINTER 2025

How is everyone? We trust you’ve been making the most of winter’s beauty and outdoor activities. This winter has been notably unpredictable. January delivered exceptionally cold temperatures, followed by heavy snowfall in February, and now we’re enjoying some warm days and melting. It perfectly illustrates the saying, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute.”

At DMA, we are excitedly preparing for another productive building season and would like to share a growing trend in new projects. Join us to learn more and explore valuable opportunities together!

MULTIGENERATIONAL PROPERTIES

It's interesting to see how our conversations with friends have evolved over the years. At first, we discussed daycare expenses, potty training, and Legos. Those discussions gradually shifted to ‘new math’ and the time we spent traveling across the state to our kids’ school activities. This eventually led to talking about FAFSAs and touring potential colleges. Now, we mostly discuss travel opportunities, recent surgeries and retirement planning.

Many of us are at a similar stage in life, which has led to an increase in inquiries from clients and friends who are eager to explore options for multigenerational living on their properties. We anticipate that this trend will not only be prominent in Jackson Hole but also across the United States.

There are several reasons this makes sense. Many of us moved to Jackson Hole decades ago and now lament that rising property prices make it difficult for our children to return and purchase their own homes. We want to see our grandchildren more often to watch them grow and to help with babysitting. Additionally, we may be considering moving our aging parents closer to us while also thinking about our own future retirement. It would be a great benefit to have our adult children nearby to assist us, allowing us to remain in our homes instead of having to move to an expensive assisted living facility.

Multigenerational properties provide a practical solution for improving home affordability and helping our children save money. This living arrangement enables families to support one another, strengthen their relationships, and enables older generations to age in place with the care and companionship of loved ones nearby. There are numerous options to explore, tailored to individual needs, available land, subdivision restrictions, building codes, budget, and each family's unique criteria. Below, we present several ideas to consider:

INDEPENDENT BUT CONNECTED

The home below was originally designed and built to accommodate a growing family and the owner’s elderly parents. It features a main-floor, handicap-accessible one-bedroom apartment with its own entrance and access to a shared deck at the back of the house. This solution was a success, as it provides both families with complete separation while ensuring easy access and security.

The site design includes additional parking for both families’ vehicles. All of the bedrooms for the main house are located on the second floor, ensuring comfortable and private living spaces for all the residents.

This view of the back of the home shows the juxtaposition of the one-bedroom apartment on the left and the doors leading to the deck from both living units.

PRIVACY AND A VIEW

We frequently create innovative living units above existing garages or barns, providing homeowners with valuable additional space. For those with ample land and fewer restrictions, these units can seamlessly blend into new construction, such as the barndominium below. This structure features a practical 613-square-foot one-bedroom caretaker’s apartment along with a workshop and storage for vehicles and equipment on the first floor, paired with a generous 1,000-square-foot two-bedroom living unit on the second floor. The design ensures complete privacy from the main house, and the spacious deck enhances the apartment experience by providing elevated views of the Western mountains.

TRADING PLACES

For parents considering downsizing, this 1,000-square-foot single-story auxiliary residential unit (ARU) provides a spacious atmosphere while their adult children and grandchildren can live in the main home on the property. The unit features two bedrooms with ensuites situated on opposite sides of the house, ensuring privacy for guests or the option to use one as an office or hobby room. Additionally, a 1,660-square-foot wrap-around deck surrounds the entire home, greatly expanding the living space.

RAISING THE ROOF

The best solution for this family is a 937-square-foot upstairs addition over the garage, which will provide a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment for their adult daughter. The apartment will have access from within the original home, as well as a separate entrance via a stairway on the side of the house. Space has been repurposed on the first floor to establish a mudroom/laundry room and a workout room for the entire family.

Upon completion, the addition will completely rejuvenate the front façade of the home, (as compared below), giving it a fresh identity, offering a more contemporary look, and greatly enhancing its overall value.

Every property is unique and personal needs vary, which means multigenerational living looks different from one family to the next. While a private bedroom and bathroom wing might work well for one household, a completely separate auxiliary residential unit (ARU) might work best for another. If you would like to explore what options you have for your family situation, please contact our office. We enjoy the challenge!

TETON COUNTY/TOWN OF JACKSON CHANGES

Wildland Urban Interface

As of January 1, 2025, all private land within Teton County will fall under the new Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Boundary. This WUI boundary supplements the Building Code and Fire Code, providing special regulations for the construction, alteration, movement, repair, maintenance, and use of any building or structure within the county to help mitigate fire risk. The boundary was last updated in 2014.

With the extension of the WUI boundary, all new construction in Teton County will be subject to WUI Code reviews. One notable change is that wood shake roofs will be banned throughout the Town and County. Additionally, any new construction will require WUI Code reviews, which will incur a fee of $150. While this boundary extension may increase costs for new construction, existing homes will not be affected at this time.

In addition, both the Town and County have adopted the 2024 editions of several building and fire codes, including the International Building Code and the Residential Building Code. These new codes took effect on January 1 for the Town and February 1 for the County. The Town is allowing a grace period until March 31, 2025, during which plans submitted may comply with either the 2021 or 2024 codes.

Stay safe, live well, see you soon.

307.733.9551

info@dubbe-moulder.com