What is a primary house or main house?

August 28, 2025

The terms primary house and main house both refer to the principal residential building on a property.

Definition

  • The primary house (or main house) is the main dwelling unit that sits on a residential lot.

  • It’s the structure that zoning laws recognize as the primary residence.

  • Everything else on the lot — such as a detached ADU, garage, shed, or junior ADU — is considered secondary or accessory.