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Council holds public hearing on updated ADU policy to meet new state requirements; owner‑occupancy and impact‑fee limits revised
Summary
City staff held a public hearing May 20 on proposed ADU code changes to comply with state law: permit two ADUs per parcel, cap ADUs at 1,000 sq ft, and eliminate owner‑occupancy requirements; staff also proposed a 1‑space parking minimum and 24‑foot eave limit for detached ADUs.
(Note: This article covers the public hearing and staff explanation of the proposed ADU policy update; council had not adopted the ordinance as of the meeting.)
The Duval City Council held a public hearing on May 20 regarding proposed changes to the city’s ADU (accessory dwelling unit) rules to comply with new state requirements. Community Development Director Laura Thomas explained the city’s legislative approach and the draft amendments under consideration.
Key points from staff: Thomas said the city is aligning its regulations with the state statutory minimums. The proposed code changes would: - Allow up to two ADUs per parcel (detached and/or attached) in zones that permit single‑family uses; - Set the maximum ADU size at 1,000 square feet (the state minimum); - Remove any owner‑occupancy requirement (state law now prohibits requiring owner occupancy of either unit); - Limit impact fees for ADUs to 50% of the principal unit’s impact fee amount (the fee schedule will reflect that limit); - Establish parking guidance: staff relayed that planning commission recommended requiring at least one parking space for an ADU and allowing up to two spaces on lots greater than 6,000 sq ft; some comparator cities permit no parking requirement or a lower standard; - Address height measurement for detached ADUs: the draft uses eave height for a 24‑foot eave cap on detached ADUs and otherwise defers to underlying zone height limits for attached ADUs.
Thomas described outreach: an open house, an FAQ online, social media engagement and a public comment from the Snoqualmie Tribe that is included in the staff exhibits. The planning commission had reviewed the draft and advanced a recommendation to council; staff said the commission’s recommendation and community comments informed the draft.
Public testimony: no members of the public signed up to speak at the hearing on the ADU update.
Next steps: staff will prepare a final ordinance for planning commission recommendation and a council decision; planning commission’s formal recommendation was scheduled to be transmitted May 28 and the council will consider the code update at its June 3 meeting where a decision could be made.
