Commission moves to align ADU rules with state law, raises parking and footprint clarifications

The County Planning Commission recommended amendments to the county's accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations to align with House Bill 1337 (2023) and to clarify related use-table footnotes. Jeff Johnson, Community Development Services staff, said the state bill aims to encourage ADU development by limiting certain local design standards, impact fees and parking requirements. He said the county is largely compliant but needs changes to ensure consistency, including removing a separate "accessory living quarters" definition and placing those uses under the ADU rules. Under the commission's recommended revisions, the county would allow up to two ADUs within designated growth areas where general development standards are met, maintain a one-space off-street parking requirement per new ADU, eliminate minimum lot-size requirements for ADUs within growth areas, and set a 1,500-square-foot cap on habitable ADU floor area (staff said smaller minimums are possible if desired). Staff noted the state requires local jurisdictions to adopt compliant regulations within six months of the next periodic comprehensive-plan update. Commissioners voted to recommend approval of the proposed ADU amendments; the motion passed by voice vote and will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for formal adoption.