Commissioners amend accessory dwelling unit ordinance, remove 1,200‑square‑foot cap and waive second hearing requirement

Sarasota County commissioners voted Jan. 15 to change a proposed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance by removing a 1,200‑square‑foot maximum size constraint and to waive the requirement for an additional 5:01 p.m. second public hearing, allowing staff to finalize corrected ordinance language and return for the scheduled Jan. 28 adoption hearing.

Donna Thompson, zoning administrator, told the commission staff found a scrivener’s omission in the originally published draft and had added barrier‑island and cluster subdivision language in the corrected version. Commissioner Masten moved to remove the 1,200‑square‑foot limit on ADUs so that homeowners and HOAs could use existing HOA limits to govern sizes; the motion passed unanimously.

Thompson said the change will separate ‘‘guest houses’’ (restricted to short‑term use and limited size) from accessory dwelling units (which may be rented) and that staff will return revised text that clarifies rental permissions and technical edits. Commissioners also voted unanimously to waive the separate evening (5:01 p.m.) hearing required by state statute, allowing the revised ordinance to return for adoption on Jan. 28.

Commissioners discussed that the barrier islands would be excluded from the broader ADU allowance and requested staff ensure clear language distinguishing guest houses from ADUs, and the zoning administrator said those edits would be incorporated in the final ordinance.

Ending: Staff will prepare corrected ordinance language that removes the 1,200‑square‑foot cap and clarifies rental and guest‑house rules; the board will hold the formal adoption hearing on Jan. 28.