Try the political quiz
@ISIDEWITHQuestionsHousing IssuesUrban DevelopmentProperty RightsHousing Policyaccessory dwelling unitszoning regulations•••Started 4mos agoActive 20hrs ago

Should homeowners be allowed to build small backyard cottages (ADUs) without a government permit?

+
Expand
+ Settings

Toggle voterbase

Statistics are shown for this demographic

Answer Overview

Response rates from 6.3k America voters.

79%
Yes
21%
No
66%
Yes
17%
No
11%
Yes, as long as its safe, I should be able to build whatever I want on my property
2%
No, I prefer the current permit process
1%
Yes, it’s a fast way to ease the housing crisis for seniors and renters
1%
No, this would lead to unsafe living conditions and overwhelm sewers, roads, and parking
1%
No, we should incentivize high-rise housing near transit instead
0%
No, this would overcrowd quiet single-family neighborhoods
0%
No, this would lead to unsafe living conditions and overwhelm sewers, roads, and parking
0%
No, and ADUs should be banned entirely

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 6.3k America voters.

Loading data...

Loading chart... 

Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 6.3k America voters.

Loading data...

Loading chart... 

Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from America voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @BC5GWCH from California  answered…3mos3MO

Yes, it's their private property, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone and is kept up to standards if rented.

 @BDLD6WD from California  answered…1mo1MO

Yes, but it should still be permitted.

 @BF3SSR2 from Texas  answered…1wk1W

I think it depends on the amount of space you have and make sure to be considerate

 @BF3CWY9 from Mississippi  answered…1wk1W

No, however if it is in your acre size you can built one just make sure it follow the rules.

 @BF2XB87 from California  answered…2wks2W

Yes but with consideration for meeting community standards

 @BDZ62BJ  from Colorado  answered…2wks2W

Yes, as long as its safe, unless access to city systems are gained.

 @BDYZP2V from Illinois  answered…2wks2W

No, the cultivation of affordable housing while banning investment residential purchasing will result in access to housing for a severe majority of the population.

 @BDY44Q7 from Ohio  answered…3wks3W

If you are building just a deck and shed no but if you are tapping into power sewer water yes

About This Data

Based on 6.3k responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

iSideWith is non-partisan — we don't advocate for any party, candidate, or position. We report what the public tells us.

Read Our Full Methodology →

Cite Or Embed This Poll

Writing about this issue? Use the live data and link back to the full results.

Cite This Poll

iSideWith. (2026). “Should homeowners be allowed to build small backyard cottages (ADUs) without a government permit?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 27, 2026, from https://www.isidewith.com/polls/5541954007

Embed The Live Result

Preview