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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsHousing IssuesUrban DevelopmentProperty RightsHousing Policyaccessory dwelling unitszoning regulations•••Started 4mos agoActive 3 days ago

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

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 6.2k 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 6.2k America voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 6.2k America voters.

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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…7 days7D

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…1wk1W

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…2wks2W

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

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 @ISIDEWITH submitted…2yrs2Y

Elizabeth Warren Walks Back Murder Comments

Congressional Democrats broadly denounced the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Friday morning, after Republicans started accusing Sen. Elizabeth Warren of excusing violence.“No one's condoning this,” said Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.). “Violence never is the right answer for anything. And it was a horrible murder, a tragic loss for his family.” Warren this week condemned the shooting, but added that people “can be pushed only so far.”"We'll say it over and over," Warren said on MSNBC’S “The ReidOut.” " Violence is never the answer. This guy [Luigi Mangione] gets a trial who's allegedly killed the CEO of UnitedHealth, but you can only push people so far, and then they start to take matters into their own hands."In a statement to POLITICO, Warren said, “Violence is never the answer. Period. I should have been much clearer that there is never a justification for murder.” Top Republicans denounced Warren's comments and the walked-back rhetoric, with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) calling it “inappropriate and dangerous.”Some House Democrats asked about the incident on Thursday pivoted the conversation to discuss policy options on health care or gun safety.“I don't really know that this is really a space that Congress normally weighs in on,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas). “But at the end of the day, I think it’s an opportunity, because now people are talking about health care and to talk about the fact that this industry has honestly not been as helpful as it could be.”“Violence is never the answer,” said Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.). “We know that there are people suffering, there’s great challenges in healthcare. There's great challenges, and people have, in fact, been wronged, but a process of governance is the way to address that, not violence.”And Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) who denounced the murder, said the killer should be prosecuted and that “I do know that allegedly a ghost gun was used, and we should also ban ghost guns. There's no reason for them beyond the streets.”

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About This Data

Based on 6.2k 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.

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iSideWith. (2026). “Should homeowners be allowed to build small backyard cottages (ADUs) without a government permit?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 25, 2026, from https://www.isidewith.com/polls/5541954007

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