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City staff outline ADU code changes to comply with state bill, propose loosening owner‑occupancy and size limits
Summary
Des Moines planners briefed the council April 3 on draft ADU code changes to comply with state legislation identified in staff materials as “HB 13 37,” including removing owner‑occupancy requirements, capping impact fees, permitting at least two ADUs per lot, and raising ADU maximum size to 1,000 square feet.
Des Moines planning staff briefed the council April 3 on proposed amendments to the city’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations to comply with recent state legislation identified in staff materials as “HB 13 37.” The city plans to bring code amendments (staff cited municipal code sections in packet materials) forward for public hearing and adoption to meet the state compliance deadline.
Staff described the main proposed changes: • Impact fees: the draft limits ADU impact fees to 50% of the principal unit fee, consistent with staff’s reading of the state requirement. • Owner‑occupancy: the city’s current code requires owner‑occupancy of one unit on the lot; the proposed amendment would remove that requirement to comply with state law. • Number and configuration: where Des Moines currently permits one ADU per residential lot, staff propose permitting at least two ADUs per…
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