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Springfield officials review ADU utility rules, fees and permitting to avoid deterring small developers
Summary
City counselors and staff discussed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) permitting, water and sewer service requirements, costs and zoning rules. Staff said most fees are modest, two ADU applications are active, and officials will follow up to clarify when existing services can be shared.
Springfield City counselors and staff on a maintenance and development call discussed whether accessory dwelling units can share existing water and sewer services, the likely costs to do so, and how zoning and building rules apply.
Councilor Tracy Whitfield, vice president, said constituents were worrying that water and sewer charges for new piping could make ADUs prohibitively expensive for emerging developers and residents. "I had got one complaint about developing ADUs, and that particular complaint was around the fees that water and sewer is charging to, I guess, build new piping for the water," Whitfield said.
Water and Sewer Commission staff member Josh explained the commission’s typical practice and offered a cost range. He said the commission generally requires a single service per dwelling and avoids splitting an existing service because leaks before the meter would increase unaccounted-for water that all customers ultimately pay for. "In general, it's a single…
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