Ranch & ADU

What is a Ranch?

The Ranch is a single-story single family home that is a popular domestic style. It is characterized by a large, balanced floor plan and a long horizontal elevation. The entrance is in the center separating a living room, dining room and kitchen with the bedrooms and bathrooms. There is usually an attached garage and a fairly large lot size. Interior conversions are not very feasible because of the minimal extra room, but if done will eliminate a considerable amount of room for the family.

Special Features

Ranch: The Ranch home became popular after World War II as residential development increased in the suburban neighborhoods of Rhode Island. Ranches provided a functional single family home on one floor level. Key features are:

• Typically all rooms on one main floor level.
• Low pitched roof side-gable or hipped roof.
• Attic space is typically uninhabitable.
• Common area and sleeping areas often separate.
• Often has an attached garage.
• Typically have 30 foot setback.
• Lot size ⅓-½ acre.

Options for Conversion:

On the pages that follow, take a closer look at housing's connections to the Exterior Attached Addition and Freestanding New Structure.