I have seriously considered it recently. I read the text change that allows them by right and believe it’s an 800 sf max. Other zoning restrictions apply, but I’m sure you could receive a variance for something like setback encroachment. My house is from the 60s, so having a brand new tiny house in the back yard is very appealing especially considering it could be built while we stay in our home.
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Get on this wait list. 
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They are not easy to build. This is part of what drove me crazy about when they were debated for 5-10 years. Opponents thought they would just sprout up everywhere.
I engaged an architect to get plans for how to build a 1 and 1/2 story (essentially a garage with the ADU over it) slightly behind and to the side of my house. So I did take the first step, and I need to engage with some builders to get some pricing ideas. Two big things slowed me down.
#1 I decided to refi for a lower monthly payment instead of taking out a bigger loan to get access to some home equity. Having more cash on hand would speed things up, but I went for the more conservative route.
#2. Lumber prices seemed so crazy that I decided to wait until some of that calms down before trying to built.
#3. We had a baby in January, so probably waiting a year or two to have more cash and more calm in our lives.
I have not had an official quote, but for 600 sqft of ADU over a 600 sqft garage, it could be in the $200,000+ range. Building anything is expensive right now.
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Lumber prices are finally crashing the past few weeks so it should hopefully become more affordable
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I think the only complicated part is tapping into water and sewer. If it’s downhill from the sewer line, installing a grinder pump is necessary. I’m curious how the city addresses adding bedrooms to an existing property – at what point does a neighborhood outgrow the lines in the ROW? For neighborhoods like NH where 2-3 BR homes are being replaced with 4-5 BR homes, are they getting close to infrastructure overload?
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According to the UDC Report above, it sounds like there would be easily granted setback relief if in certain high density zones. It seems like getting an ADU in Raleigh is much like having solar installed or buying an electric vehicle. Not impractical or particularly difficult if you have the money, but the future looks a lot brighter.
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WOW! I would not have guessed $300+ per sqft. Obviously finished and build style factor in. I have a design and construction background so if I could get a GC on board I would likely do as much DIY as possible.
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Not to mention the cost of a sewer line tap! $5k+ in fees from the city for a 4" sewer line…
Yes, the difficulty swallowing a price per foot model on a tiny house is because there are still those fixed costs – like sewer tap fee and permits – that are divided across less sf, especially if the tiny structure includes a kitchen, master bath, and covered porch. That’s a lot of expensive square footage packed into a small divisor!
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ADU’s have the option of connecting to the existing water meter and existing sewer service. Which almost 90% do. These are not as simple as they would seem as they require their own address assigned for emergency services. The tract also can’t be subdivided in the future. The fees can add up quick.
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They are allowed to connect to the existing but after the water meter and after the cleanup on the property. They are separate for each building up to clean out. There are ADU water/sewer connection options which should be online. The state was involved and allowed them as long as they meet plumbing code. It is better to avoid new utility connection taps as they are with private utility contractor. Connection fees for new taps after you pay a utility contractor are $4,108. The City will not make the taps.
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Thanks for that info!
In case anyone else is curious, the text that supports zoso’s statement:
https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-quality-permitting/municipal-npdes-pretreatment-and-collection
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Very informative video about the possible cost of Boxabl transported and set up as an ADU.
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Anybody done the math for Raleigh?
I don’t know, but Vancouver is likely going to be a lot more expensive than Raleigh. The only thing that is guaranteed to be higher is transportation costs because Raleigh is further from the factory.
All in all, an ADU for under 75K is pretty compelling. I wonder if one could get $1000+ a month for something that small?
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As an Airbnb, absolutely. Easily.
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I believe I have spotted my first ADU under the new rules. I walk by this lot on Hargett frequently (townhomes being worked on) but if you look across, there is this “house” just recently built in the middle of the block. It’s in the backyard of 209 Haywood so it has to be an ADU, right? Not bad!
Not a great photo but it’s the yellow structure to the left. I bring this up as I’m curious if the new rules are actually being taken advantage of and ADUs are being built now.
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AD…Yeeeewwwww! 
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Here’s the ADU and House on Walser Place off of Davie St. Its got 2 rooms: Living/Kitchen + Bed/Bath. Looks pretty livable (for me). I think its interesting that it shares street frontage with the main dwelling. I wonder what happens with the right of way properties on the outlet towards Montague now that the previous cul-de-sac has been removed.
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