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Secondary suite is an urban planning term for an additional separate dwelling unit on a property that would normally accommodate only one dwelling unit. A secondary suite is considered "secondary" or "accessory" to the primary residence on the parcel. It normally has its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom and living area. Such a suite often is one of the following types:

• A suite above a rear detached garage,
• A suite above the main floor of a single-detached dwelling,
• A suite below the main floor of a single-detached dwelling (a "basement suite").
• A suite attached to a single-detached dwelling at grade, or
• A suite detached from the principal dwelling (a "garden suite" or "guesthouse").

In many municipalities, secondary suites are illegal because they do not conform to the zoning or land use district the property is in, they have been developed without the proper permits, or they do not meet the local building code. However, some localities only prohibit the renting out of secondary suites, and allow occupation by a relative or guest, leading to the use of the term "mother-in-law" house or apartment. Local jurisdictions may have rules regarding allowing certain relatives to live there and rules about what, if any, rent may be charged.

Secondary suites can also be called accessory suites.

In Honolulu, Hawaii, they are called "Ohana Dwelling Units" or "Ohana Housing".^[1] Ohana Dwellings in Hawaii were created in 1981 as a way to encourage the private sector to create more housing units (without government subsidy), preserve green fields (open space) and ease housing affordability.^[2][3][4]

Secondary suites in Santa Cruz, California and many other parts of the United States (ie. County of Maui in Hawaii^[5]), are called "Accessory Dwelling Units" or ADU's^[6]

Dual occupancy is sometimes used to refer to the development of two dwellings on one allotment of land. They may be either attached (semi-detached) or detached.^[7] The term is common in Australia.

Mother-in-law house[link]

A mother-in-law house is a form of guest accommodation that may be either completely detached (a guesthouse) or attached to a primary residence. An attached mother-in-law house often involves some spaces shared in common with an attached primary dwelling. It may, for instance, have a separate bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, while sharing a living room and laundry facilities.

Mother-in-Law houses are sometimes abbreviated as MIL in internet or newspaper listings.

Mother-in-law apartment[link]

A mother-in-law apartment is a small apartment accessory to a primary residence. Alternative names include "granny flat", "granny suite","in-law suite", and "accessory apartment", the first being used primarily in Australia, Britain and New Zealand, where it is the most familiar of these terms, but also in parts of the United States. Such apartments are frequently used to accommodate an elderly relative who is not capable of living on their own, but is not ready for a nursing home environment or other similar facility.

The apartment may or may not have a communicating door to the main house, but virtually always has a separate entrance and is usually not part of the original design. Many are located above the garage of the main house or as a separate building in the rear yard.

Canada[link]

Government programs[link]

CMHC[link]

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation provides a financial assistance program to help Canadians create affordable housing for low-income seniors and adults with a disability within a secondary suite. The program is called the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) -- Secondary/Garden Suite. The maximum fully forgivable loan depends on the location of the property:

• Southern Areas of Canada: $24,000/unit
• Northern areas of Canada: $28,000/unit
• Far northern areas: $36,000/unit

A 25% supplement in assistance is available in remote areas.^[8]

British Columbia[link]

The Housing Policy Branch of British Columbia's Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services published a guide for local governments to implement secondary suite programs called 'Secondary Suites: A Guide For Local Governments'^[9]. The current issue is dated September 2005. The intent of the guide is to "help local governments develop and implement secondary suite programs". It also highlights good secondary suite practices as well as providing practical information to "elected officials, planners, community groups, homeowners, developers, and others interested in secondary suites".

Norway[link]

In Norway, particularly in the bigger cities, it is quite common to build separate adjoined smaller flats for renting out. The owner of the main flat will rent out the smaller adjoined flats.

See also[link]

• Garage apartment
• Rooftop housing

References[link]

External links[link]

• West Coast Environmental Law: Urban Growth and Development, Secondary Suites
• Tenants Rights Action Coalition: Secondary Suites, A Tenant Survey
• Accessory Dwelling Units in Arvada, Colorado. (video)

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This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (June 2011)

Keith Larson is an American radio host and conservative, political commentator. His talk show, The Keith Larson Show, airs 9 a.m. to noon each weekday on WBT AM/FM in Charlotte.

Early life/professional career[link]

Larson was born in Chicago, Illinois. Before working at WBT, he spent 12 years in advertising; 10 with McDonald's Corporation and 2 years as an advertising executive.

He lives in Waxhaw, North Carolina with his wife, Nancy, his two daughters, and his dogs including his wife's Yorkie, Moose. Larson contributes to the community, most visibly with the annual "Ride for the Kids" motorcycle rally benefiting one or more local children with a serious illness. He also brings visibility and participates in events benefiting the March 4th with Hope Foundation and the Zach Ramsey Childrens' Cancer Fund.

Larson was informed by WBT in April 2012 that his contract would not be renewed.

The Keith Larson Show[link]

Larson's radio show airs weekdays for three hours daily, beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern time. He describes his program's goal of holding local politicians accountable, as well as its free-flowing and, at times, offbeat nature (interviewing not only newsmakers, but other people of interest ranging from Bigfoot hunters to snake and reptile experts), as "giving a little poke in the eye wherever it's deserved; making a little trouble for the people in charge, whoever's in charge; hanging out with some friends; talking to some folk; playing some tunes; and having a little fun". He is considered to be witty and honest in his view of local and regional politics.

8th District congressional election[link]

During the 2010 Republican presidential primary for the 8th congressional district Larson feuded with both Tim D'Annunzio (R) and Harold Johnson (R). Larson brought both on his radio program, and refused to endorse either; his interviews with Tim D'Annunzio were particularly contentious. Larson threatened legal action when D'Annunzio used a sound bite of Larson asking Harold Johnson a question in a radio advertisement; D'Annunzio later replaced Larson's voice. D'Annunzio accused Larson of being the radio narrator on Harold Johnson's radio commercials, despite a lack of similarity in voice. He also accused Larson of running a 'smear campaign' responsible for his drop in the polls, saying "This is what your show does to people" and "You're probably going to hell someday for doing this.... There's a special place in hell for people like you." This led Larson to decry D'Annunzio as a "delusional, deranged human being".^[1] The interview that Larson had with D'Annunzio has been removed from the archives of the News-Talk 1110 WBT website.

On August 23, 2011 Keith Larson interviewed Vernon Robinson as he was running for Congress in the 8th district. During the interview Larson asked Robinson when he relocated to Concord, North Carolina, if he was going to take up permanent residence there, and if he was moving to the city for the sole purpose of running for the congressional seat. Robinson became noticeably nervous and elusive when answering Larson's questions. In response to Robinson's behavior Larson criticized him on his apprehensiveness and indirect answers.^[2]

Larson has also brought Libertarian Party candidate Thomas Hill on his program.

References[link]

External links[link]

• The Keith Larson Show official site