Monroe staff outline ADU code changes required by state law; public hearing set

Monroe — City staff presented proposed amendments to Monroe’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and permit processing rules on May 13 to align local code with state law (House Bill 13 37). Staff said the changes will remove several local barriers to building ADUs and recommended procedural updates to speed permitting.

Senior Planner Amy Bright summarized current Monroe practice and proposed changes. She said Monroe currently allows one attached or detached ADU per lot with a size cap of 800 square feet or 40 percent of the primary dwelling (whichever is less), requires an owner‑occupancy covenant, requires one additional off‑street parking stall per ADU, and routes ADU applications as Type 2 land use permits that include neighbor notice. “House Bill 13 37 says that jurisdictions are required to adopt the minimum standards,” Bright said, and if the city does not adopt them the state law would supersede local code.

Major proposed/required changes Bright…