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Council adopts accessory-dwelling-unit rules to implement new state law; site-plan review required
Summary
Following the state Affordable Homes Act, the council approved new local ADU rules that allow accessory dwelling units in single-family zones, restrict size to the lesser of 50% of the principal dwelling or 900 square feet, bar short-term rentals, and require an administrative site-plan review and one additional parking space.
The Springfield City Council on Monday adopted a zoning amendment to implement the state’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) provisions under the Affordable Homes Act. The local ordinance adds Article 4.7.120 to allow ADUs in single-family residential districts subject to dimensional, parking and building-code requirements.
Planning Director Phil Drummond briefed the council on the new state law and on the proposed city rules. Drummond said the state’s definition allows an ADU as a self-contained unit "inclusive of sleeping, cooking, and sanitary facilities on the same lot as the principal dwelling," and that state law bars local governments from unreasonably prohibiting ADUs or requiring special-permit use for a single ADU. The local amendment limits ADUs to single-family residential districts (Residence A and Residence A-1), bars their use as short-term rentals and caps the ADU at the lesser of half the gross floor area of the principal dwelling or 900 square feet.
The city ordinance requires an administrative site-plan review drawn by a qualified professional (registered architect, surveyor or engineer, or landscape architect) to demonstrate compliance with setbacks and parking; it also allows the city to require a special permit if an owner seeks more than one ADU on a lot. The law does not allow the city to require owner-occupancy of either the principal dwelling or the ADU; Drummond said that limitation is set by state statute.
Councilors asked about historic-district review and parking; Drummond said historic-district review still applies for exterior changes in local historic districts and that on-street parking does not count toward the extra parking space the ADU rule requires. Council members also discussed building-permit and inspection requirements and the potential for fees; staff said building permits and inspections still apply and said the city could consider a fee for administrative site-plan review in the future.
The council approved the ADU zoning amendment by roll-call vote; Drummond and an assessor's-office contact had told councilors ADU additions typically trigger reassessment and tax changes. The amendment takes effect consistent with state timelines and local ordinance procedures.
