East Bethel council signals support to draft code allowing higher‑quality barndominiums, asks staff to return with ordinance

The City Council discussed whether to allow "barndominiums" (also called "shouses") in East Bethel and generally supported drafting an ordinance to define the building type and set standards, including material and size limits.

Planning staff told the council the municipal code currently lacks a definition for barndominiums and does not allow metal (steel) siding on single-family homes. Staff asked whether the council wanted to: define the use, set a limit or ratio for accessory square footage, allow higher-quality steel siding that resembles residential finishes, and restrict where the buildings would be permitted.

A planning staff member noted builders market images (cited from Menards) show a wide range of finishes, from pole-barn appearances to residential fronts with stone or brick. The staff recommendation was to review accessory-structure Section 14 of the code, clarify attached vs. detached accessory rules and consider limiting the use to larger-lot zones such as rural residential or agricultural districts.

Kendra, Community Development Director, said the council had heard feedback in favor of allowing barndominiums and recommended staff draft proposed code language and bring it back for review and a public hearing. She cautioned that accessory-space rules currently do not specify a maximum attached‑garage size and said staff would compare examples and propose limits if council desired.

Council members raised several points: whether a 2-acre minimum would be appropriate (staff noted Ag and rural residential minimums are 2 acres in the districts discussed), how to address home‑based businesses inside large accessory spaces (staff recommended licensing home occupations and asking applicants during review), and how to define acceptable siding so buildings look like private dwellings rather than pole barns.

One council member said, "I definitely would like to have you look at the steel siding ordinance for sure. I think we should allow that definitely in our city." Another urged staff not to delay the process, noting the issue had been under discussion for about a year.

Staff offered to prepare a draft ordinance and bring it to either a work session or the council packet for review; council members asked that staff try to provide draft materials before packets are released so members have adequate time to review.