06/04/2026
Grand Rapids is about to make your backyard way more interesting.
The city's working on new rules — expected to kick in next year — that would let you build a backyard home (an ADU) up to 1,000 sq ft. That's bigger than today's limits, with a lot less red tape, and enough room for a real one- or two-bedroom: rental income, a spot for the in-laws, a home office, or a place to downsize into while you rent out the main house.
This is exactly the stuff we love to build. Want to be ready the day those rules land? Now's a great time to start planning. Send us a message and we'll figure out what fits on your lot.
The full scoop: https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2026/06/how-grand-rapids-is-making-it-easier-to-build-a-1000-square-foot-home-in-your-backyard.html
The proposed changes would increase maximum floor area to 1,000 square feet and remove the two-bedroom cap on accessory dwelling units.