Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Bel Air commissioners weigh state ADU changes; staff to review local code
Summary
At a June 10 Bel Air work session, town staff and commissioners discussed recent Maryland accessory dwelling unit (ADU) law changes — including a 3-foot setback allowance and exclusion of ADUs from density calculations — and directed staff to review and recommend local code updates ahead of the state deadline.
Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners members and staff on June 10 discussed recent Maryland legislation that changes how accessory dwelling units (ADUs) must be treated, and asked town staff and counsel to analyze the town code and recommend edits.
The discussion focused on several state-level provisions that will affect local permitting, including a requirement that ADUs be excluded from density calculations, a 3-foot minimum setback for ADU structures, and language meant to bar “unreasonable limitations” on a property owner’s ability to develop or offer an ADU for rent. Kevin, a town staff member who led the review, told commissioners that “so you couldn't use APF to stop an ADU,” referring to Adequate Public Facilities (APF) limits.
Why it matters: The changes could limit the town’s current ability to require family-only occupancy…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
