ADU-Palooza!!!

I (Amanda) started my first ADU program in 2016 at a shipping container modular factory in Los Angeles. "What if we had a pre-approved state plan for an ADU that people could buy off the shelf?" I thought. We could even create an event that educated homeowners on the process! was a dream of mine. I got to work and with my friend architect Mark Lahmon (Markitect) we got the ADU program off the ground. It successfully launched only a few ADU units, the factory wanted to do larger scale projects and eventually the program was killed off. The informational event never happened.

But I never stopped thinking of ADUs. I had always worked in affordable housing, constructing mostly large-scale apartment buildings, and the idea of homeowner-led infill housing was juicy. New units could spring up in backyards without huge development engines behind them, or long zoning fights or NIMBYism!! I really believed in the "onsie-twosie" nature of ADUs making an impact. After I moved back to Tucson , I was thrilled to see the major code change around ADUs here. That's when I decided to focus on building casitas in Tucson with Jon. It's been a great few years for us, we have gotten to execute so many amazing backyard projects that we are proud of. The codes kept changing, now there's Middle Housing and even more developments around the ADU code.

It's time to bring that event to life! I asked our friends over at Urban Infill Project if they wanted to do it together, and ADU-palooza finally got legs!

ADU-palooza is a free informational community event. It is an all-in-one place to hear everything you need to know about building a casita in Tucson. We have invited speakers from the City of Tucson, Pima County and Oro Valley to speak on permitting and process. Urban Infill Project is going to present on model plans and the advantages of using them. A lender will be at the event to discuss financing options. Unstoppable Construction will present on what you need to know about construction, budgeting, and how to work with a builder. There will also be a table with information from our local YIMBY group Tucson for Everyone, and a couple of other vendor tables.

The event is Friday September 11, 2026 at the Tucson Association of Realtors from 1pm to 4pm. The event is free and is a drop in/come and go affair. You don't need to stay the whole time if that's not your vibe, but you are welcome to! Snacks and waters will be provided. (if you'd like to RSVP so we can have a head count for snacks, that would be awesome and you can do that here.) The address is 2445 N Tucson Blvd.

If you've ever considered building an ADU or casita, this would be a great event to check out! Is it time to create extra space for home office or visitors? Do you need to move your aging parents closer to you? Maybe a starter home for your college graduate. Or a she-shed or a man cave or an art studio! Have you been thinking about it for awhile? come to ADU-palooza and arm yourself with information to make a good decision.