Opinion: North Fulton can learn from new Arkansas housing law

By KATHY SWAHN, NANCY DIAMOND, JACK MURPHY, North Fulton Improvement Network Executive Team

In a rare moment of bipartisan alignment, Arkansas recently passed a groundbreaking law that removes barriers to building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) statewide. Sometimes called in-law suites, garage apartments, or backyard cottages, ADUs offer a modest, practical way to expand housing options—without changing the character of a neighborhood.

While cities like Portland and Minneapolis have led the way on ADU reform, Arkansas is the first state in the country to adopt such a sweeping approach. The law permits homeowners to build one ADU on any residential lot, regardless of local zoning restrictions. It’s a simple but powerful step toward tackling the state’s growing housing shortage and affordability crisis.

Could North Fulton ever see something similar? Probably not on a broad scale, certainly not anytime soon—but we should pay attention.

The idea of “gentle density” is gaining ground across the country as communities grapple with the need for more housing that doesn’t come with the scale or controversy of major developments. ADUs are a perfect example. They allow aging parents to stay close to family, young adults to live independently but affordably, and homeowners to create rental income or simply make better use of their property.

In North Fulton, many of our neighborhoods were built with families in mind. But today’s families are changing—more multigenerational households, more retirees on fixed incomes, and more essential workers priced out of the communities they serve. ADUs won’t solve everything, but they offer a flexible, low-impact option worth exploring.

One place to start might be neighborhoods without HOAs, which tend to have fewer deed restrictions and more potential for homeowner-driven change. Pilot programs or local ordinances could make it easier for residents to add a small home for a relative, caregiver or tenant. Cities in North Fulton could also streamline permitting, waive certain fees, or offer pre-approved design plans to encourage high-quality, context-sensitive construction.

Woodstock is just one of our neighboring cities embracing the ADU. Builders can even include ADU’s as part of new home communities.

Arkansas’ bold move shows what’s possible when policymakers recognize that housing abundance and neighborhood character don’t have to be at odds. We don’t need to replicate their model — but we can be inspired by it. If we care about creating communities where people of all ages and incomes can live and thrive, then we need to start talking seriously about smart, small-scale solutions. ADUs deserve a place in that conversation.