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Council amends draft barndominium ordinance to allow taller accessory sidewalls
Summary
After discussion, the council approved Ordinance 25-03 with a change permitting up to 16-foot sidewall height for the accessory/garage portion of barndominiums, rather than limiting the increase by lot size.
The East Bethel City Council adopted revisions to a draft ordinance regulating “barndominiums,” approving a change that permits a 16-foot sidewall height for the accessory building (garage) portion of such structures.
Planning staff said the Planning Commission had recommended a modification to allow 16-foot sidewall height for barndominiums on parcels of five acres or more, reasoning that larger lots often need greater garage height for RVs or equipment. Council members debated whether the increased height should be limited by lot size or applied more broadly to avoid forcing property owners to pursue variances for common uses. One councilmember expressed concern about placing a 5-acre threshold and suggested broader allowance.
The council settled on language amending the draft ordinance (Ordinance 25-03) so that a 16-foot sidewall height would be permitted for the accessory building portion of barndominiums; the language was adjusted on page 97 of the staff report. Staff and the city attorney recommended caution about making broad changes on the fly but the council directed the change and voted to adopt the ordinance with the edit.
Council members said the change is intended to allow practical garage uses—such as storing RVs or equipment—without requiring each property owner to pursue a variance. The ordinance otherwise retains the standards and review processes previously discussed by the council and the Planning Commission.
Planning staff will finalize the ordinance text with the adopted edit and implement it through the city’s zoning code update procedures.
