Council discusses barndominium ordinance changes; building official urges caution on foundations and energy code

The City Council reviewed proposed changes to the zoning code to allow "barndominiums" as a permitted residential building type in agricultural and rural-residential districts and to allow metal siding with complementary materials, but did not adopt a final ordinance on March 24.

Staff presented a draft that would permit metal siding on single-family homes provided it is not standing-seam metal and that complementary materials such as brick, stone or wood make up at least 30 percent of the building's street-facing facade. The draft also would allow barndominiums in AG and rural-residential districts. The council asked staff and the building official to return with adjusted language; several councilmembers signaled 30 percent might be too restrictive and suggested reducing the required percentage or limiting the complementary-material requirement to the front/street-facing elevation only.

The city's building official raised two concerns: that post-frame (pole-barn) foundations use posts set into footings rather than continuous perimeter foundations and therefore can present long-term durability questions if water intrusion or rot occurs; and that barndominiums must still meet State Building Code energy requirements, which can make some barndominium builds less economical than anticipated. Staff said they would consult further with the building official and return to council with a revised draft that clarifies foundation expectations and addresses energy-code compliance.

Councilmembers discussed whether to add a minimum lot-size threshold; staff said the draft applies in the rural residential and agricultural districts without a specific lot-size minimum and would instead rely on existing district requirements. Staff will bring a revised ordinance with additional foundation and material guidance at a subsequent meeting.