Proposal Will Remove Key Barrier to Building Rear Cottages

House and Carriage House at 3401-3403 N. 1st St. Photo taken April 23, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene. Milwaukee s legalization of accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, could receive a major boost under a proposal pending before the Common Council. In 2025 the council legalized ADUs, also called granny flats, carriage units or rear cottages as part of a strategy to reduce housing costs citywide. The smaller rear units, commonly found in the city s oldest neighborhoods but effectively banned for several decades, are seen nationally as a way to provide lower-cost housing for extended family members or other renters. But developing new ADUs in Milwaukee has been a challenge, despite the city creating a permitting structure for them. We always said that was the first step, Sam Leichtling, deputy commissioner of the Department of City Development, told the Public Works Committee Wednesday. We always said cost was a huge barrier. The department has now taken two public steps to drive down costs. I