Accessory Dwelling Units
Add value to your property with a custom ADU designed to maximize your space and investment.
What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit?
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a secondary housing unit that shares the building lot of a primary residence. Often called granny flats, in-law suites, backyard cottages, or secondary units, ADUs come in various forms but all provide complete, independent living facilities including a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area.
ADUs can be attached to the main house (like a converted garage or basement), built as an addition to the existing home, or constructed as a separate structure on the property. They provide homeowners with flexibility and the opportunity to maximize their property's potential while helping address housing shortages in many communities.
At Newport Modular Homes, we specialize in designing and building beautiful, functional ADUs that complement your existing property while providing all the amenities of a full-sized home in an efficient, thoughtfully designed space. Our modular construction methods allow for faster completion times and less disruption to your property compared to traditional construction.
Whether you're looking to create additional rental income, house family members, or add value to your property, our custom ADU solutions can be tailored to meet your specific needs and budget.
ADU Regulations
Newport Modular Homes operates in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.
State Regulations
Below are the current ADU regulations for Rhode Island. Municipal regulations can differ within each state. Contact us for accurate information about your jurisdiction.
Size and Height Restrictions
- Studio/1‑bed: ≤ 900 sq ft or ≤ 60 % of primary dwelling
- 2‑bed: ≤ 1,200 sq ft or ≤ 60 % of primary dwelling (max 2 bedrooms)
Setbacks and Placement
- If entirely within an existing house/structure, no new zoning relief required—even for pre‑existing non‑conformities
- Newly built detached ADUs must meet normal accessory‑structure setbacks and cannot sit in the front‑yard area between the house and street
Utility Requirements
- Properties on septic must obtain RI DEM approval confirming system capacity
Occupancy Rules
- Property must be owner‑occupied to qualify for the by‑right ADU provisions
- State law strongly recommends municipalities to prohibit short‑term or tourist rentals of ADUs
Benefits of Building an ADU
Discover why homeowners are increasingly adding Accessory Dwelling Units to their properties.
Rental Income
Generate monthly revenue by renting your ADU, helping offset mortgage payments or providing a steady income stream.
Multigenerational Living
Create space for aging parents or adult children while maintaining privacy and independence for all family members.
Increased Property Value
Boost your property's market value significantly by adding functional square footage and rental potential.
Housing Flexibility
Adapt to changing life circumstances with space that can serve as a home office, guest house, or long-term residence.
Land Utilization
Maximize your property's potential by using underutilized yard space or converting existing structures like garages.
Sustainable Living
Contribute to housing density and reduce environmental impact with efficient, smaller-footprint living spaces.
Featured Projects
Explore our collection of custom modular homes we've built across New England.
Multi-Story Colonial
Modern Beach House
Cape-Style Home
Two-Story Modular Home
Multi-Family Modular Building
ADU
Start Building Your ADU Today!
Skip months of on‑site construction chaos and build your ADU the modular way with New Port Modular Homes.