Increasing the availability of affordable and plentiful housing options communitywide is critical to improving the quality of life for Merced residents. “Low Density Multi-Family Infill Housing” is one approach to accommodating more housing, where unused and underutilized lands within existing development patterns are developed with a variety of smaller residential housing structures like duplexes and triplexes. To this end, the City of Merced is undertaking many efforts focused on encouraging infill housing.

The development of the guide, A How-to Guide: Building a Duplex or Triplex on Infill Properties in the City of Merced is a direct result of the City of Merced’s efforts related to easing the process of developing smaller residential units and stimulating additional inventory of affordable housing options. The City of Merced has created the guide in addition to Pre-Approved Duplex and Triplex Construction Plan Sets and the supplemental Duplex/Triplex Design Model Workbook to assist property owners, builders, developers, and residents through the development process. The development of these tools has been informed by the City of Merced’s Infill Housing Study which evaluates the suitability of unused and underutilized lands throughout the city and identifies the parcels where these units can best be built.

Together, these tools form the City’s Pre-Approved Duplex and Triplex Program with the overarching goal of increasing housing choice and encouraging affordability by design. The rest of this guide provides a step-by-step approach to follow, offering information and guidance on duplex and triplex basics, regulations, design considerations, and permitting.

Step 1 - Review the Design Work book to see if these plans will work for your project:

Duplex/Triplex Design Model Workbook

Step 2 - Learn about how to use the program:

A How-to Guide: Building a Duplex or Triplex on Infill Properties in the City of Merced

Step 3 - To get the plans you must fill out and sign this waiver:

Click here to Fill Out & Sign Waiver to get Plans

Step 4 - Click below to see how the City requires electronic plan submittals:

How to Submit Plans

Step 5 - Learn more about locations in Merced for infill development

City of Merced’s Infill Housing Study 

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