{
  "story": {
    "slug": "free-adu-plans-just-dropped",
    "headline": "free adu plans just dropped",
    "deck": "Anchorage just handed homeowners a free head start on adding a rental unit to their property.",
    "url": "https://thedailyalaska.com/story/free-adu-plans-just-dropped",
    "section": "Housing",
    "area": "Anchorage",
    "published_at": "2026-04-29T20:00:00+00:00",
    "updated_at": "2026-10-02T06:17:27.393078+00:00",
    "body_md": "The Municipality of Anchorage released two pre-approved accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, designs that homeowners can download for free as part of an effort to speed up backyard rental construction. One design, called The Williwaw, is an 811 square foot one-bedroom unit built over a two-car garage. The second is a 460 square foot one-bedroom cottage. Both plans are already stamped and ready for permit applications.\n\nThe free plans eliminate architect and design costs that can run into five figures before construction even starts, lowering the cost barrier for homeowners who want to add a rental unit on their property.\n\nThe city is working with the University of Alaska Anchorage's engineering program to develop additional pre-approved designs.\n\nAnchorage permitted 42 ADUs last year, more than double the decade average. City officials point to that pace as part of the path toward a stated goal of adding 10,000 new homes over the next ten years.",
    "sources": [
      {
        "url": "https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2026/04/20/to-open-door-for-new-housing-anchorage-releases-ready-to-go-designs-for-accessory-dwelling-units/",
        "label": "adn.com"
      }
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  },
  "envelope": {
    "story_id": "74bb24d7-85ff-49a5-95ed-e8d273c93840",
    "slug": "free-adu-plans-just-dropped",
    "summary": "The Municipality of Anchorage released two free, pre-approved accessory dwelling unit designs, an 811 square foot unit over a garage called The Williwaw and a 460 square foot cottage, to cut architect costs and speed backyard rental construction. The city is partnering with UAA's engineering program on more designs.",
    "key_facts": [
      "Anchorage released two free pre-approved ADU designs",
      "The Williwaw is an 811 square foot one-bedroom unit over a two-car garage",
      "The second design is a 460 square foot one-bedroom cottage",
      "Both designs are already stamped and ready for permit applications",
      "Anchorage permitted 42 ADUs last year, more than double the decade average",
      "The city is working with UAA's engineering program to develop more designs"
    ],
    "faq": [
      {
        "a": "Two: an 811 square foot one-bedroom called The Williwaw that sits over a two-car garage, and a 460 square foot one-bedroom cottage. Both are pre-stamped and ready to apply for permits.",
        "q": "What free ADU designs did Anchorage release?"
      },
      {
        "a": "Nothing. They're free and already stamped, which saves homeowners thousands in architect and design fees before construction even starts.",
        "q": "How much do the ADU plans cost?"
      },
      {
        "a": "Yes. The city is working with UAA's engineering program to develop additional designs.",
        "q": "Is Anchorage making more designs?"
      }
    ],
    "claims": [
      {
        "claim": "Anchorage released two pre-approved ADU designs available for free download, an 811 square foot unit over a two-car garage and a 460 square foot cottage.",
        "confidence": "sourced",
        "source_url": "https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2026/04/20/to-open-door-for-new-housing-anchorage-releases-ready-to-go-designs-for-accessory-dwelling-units/",
        "source_label": "adn.com"
      },
      {
        "claim": "Anchorage permitted 42 ADUs last year, more than double the decade average.",
        "confidence": "reported",
        "source_url": "https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2026/04/20/to-open-door-for-new-housing-anchorage-releases-ready-to-go-designs-for-accessory-dwelling-units/",
        "source_label": "adn.com"
      },
      {
        "claim": "The city is working with UAA's engineering program to roll out more pre-approved ADU designs.",
        "confidence": "reported",
        "source_url": "https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2026/04/20/to-open-door-for-new-housing-anchorage-releases-ready-to-go-designs-for-accessory-dwelling-units/",
        "source_label": "adn.com"
      }
    ],
    "locations": [
      {
        "area": "Anchorage",
        "kind": "city",
        "name": "Anchorage"
      }
    ],
    "people": [],
    "organizations": [
      {
        "kind": "government",
        "name": "Municipality of Anchorage"
      },
      {
        "kind": "school",
        "name": "University of Alaska Anchorage"
      }
    ],
    "event_dates": [],
    "story_status": "reported",
    "what_changed": null,
    "keywords": [
      "anchorage adu designs",
      "free accessory dwelling unit plans",
      "the williwaw design",
      "anchorage housing goal",
      "uaa engineering program adu",
      "anchorage building permits adu",
      "backyard rental unit anchorage"
    ],
    "disclosure": "Produced with AI assistance, narrated with Slav Lund's voice clone with his consent, and reviewed by a person before publishing.",
    "generated_at": "2026-10-01T05:22:52.326+00:00",
    "reviewed_at": null,
    "updated_at": "2026-10-02T06:17:27.393078+00:00"
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      "name": "Municipality of Anchorage",
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    "headline": "free adu plans just dropped",
    "description": "The Municipality of Anchorage released two free, pre-approved accessory dwelling unit designs, an 811 square foot unit over a garage called The Williwaw and a 460 square foot cottage, to cut architect costs and speed backyard rental construction. The city is partnering with UAA's engineering program on more designs.",
    "abstract": "The Municipality of Anchorage released two free, pre-approved accessory dwelling unit designs, an 811 square foot unit over a garage called The Williwaw and a 460 square foot cottage, to cut architect costs and speed backyard rental construction. The city is partnering with UAA's engineering program on more designs.",
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