City continues work on accessory dwelling rules; council narrows options ahead of April public hearing

Falls Church City planning staff returned to council on March 24 for a final work session on a draft accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance, seeking direction before a public hearing and final vote on April 14.

Why it matters: The draft ordinance would allow interior, attached and detached ADUs as-of-right in most residential zones, with limits on size, occupancy and height. Council members and staff framed ADUs as a tool to add housing options without large-scale redevelopment, but several members said protections are needed to limit privacy, tree-canopy and rear-yard impacts.

Staff's package and recommendations: Jack Treanor, a planning staff member who led the session, summarized changes since the last council work session: a revised corner-lot setback rule to prevent ADUs on corner lots encroaching on adjacent front yards; a height-and-setback matrix that would allow a 5-foot side-yard setback for single-story ADUs no taller than 15 feet and a 10-foot setback for ADUs up to 20 feet (1.5 stories); a cap on detached ADU size (1,000 square feet)…