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Commission reviews proposed changes to accessory-dwelling-unit rules, including larger maximum size and relaxed driveway/utility requirements
Summary
Planning staff proposed allowing ADUs by right in more residential districts, increasing maximum ADU size to 800 sq ft or 50% of the principal dwelling, and removing some driveway and separate-utility prohibitions; commissioners asked for more analysis on height, design and outreach before final approval.
Planning staff presented a package of proposed amendments to Norfolk’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules that would expand where ADUs are permitted, increase permitted ADU size, and relax several siting and parking constraints.
Under the proposal, ADUs would be allowed by right in nearly every residential zoning district (with conditional-use-permit options to deviate), the maximum ADU size would increase from 500 square feet or 25% of the main dwelling to 800 square feet or 50% of the principal dwelling (whichever is less), and the code’s prohibition against separate utilities and a shared-driveway requirement would be removed if the work is properly permitted. Staff also proposed easing additional parking requirements so an ADU would only have to meet the base lot’s minimum parking requirement or request a deviation through a CUP.
Staff member (planning staff) summarized the six specific changes staff is proposing: alter CUP requirements to allow ADUs by right in more districts, allow CUPs for ADUs accessory to townhouses and semi-detached single-family dwellings, permit deviations where lots fall short of base zoning dimensional requirements, raise the maximum size cap to 800 sqft or 50% of the principal dwelling, remove the prohibition on separate utilities when properly permitted, remove the requirement that ADUs must use the same driveway, and remove the requirement for an additional off-street parking space specifically for an ADU.
Why it matters: the package is intended to increase the supply and diversity of dwelling types. Commissioner Bateman and others asked about practical constraints — especially height and ceiling-clearance limits for garage-top ADUs — and urged more public outreach and design guidance. Bateman said placing an 800-square-foot ADU on top of a typical garage may be infeasible given roof midpoint height rules and typical 8-foot garage doors; staff replied that dormers and other design approaches have been used to achieve required clearances and that a variance process remains available for unusual cases.
What the commission directed: commissioners asked staff to research height and building-code clearance implications, perform broader outreach and return with more detailed analysis and illustrative diagrams. Staff said they would hold off on final action to allow focused outreach and additional technical review, and that the item could be revisited alongside future comprehensive-zoning updates tied to the 2050 plan.
Ending: Staff will prepare additional materials on height limits, building-code clearance, expected ADU use (owner-occupied vs. rental), and outreach plans before the commission takes a final vote.
