Planning commission endorses zoning text amendments to ease ADU occupancy rules and reduce special-use permits

The Fairfax City Planning Commission on Monday recommended that the City Council approve a package of zoning text amendments to the City Code (Chapter 110) that change accessory dwelling unit (ADU) occupancy rules, narrow the scope of several special-use permit categories, and make a range of clarifying edits to zoning definitions and procedures.

The amendments would remove the ordinance language that requires either the main house or the accessory dwelling unit to be occupied by someone age 55 or older or by a person with a disability; keep the existing owner-occupancy requirement for ADUs; correct an outdated reference from “family” to “household” in the ADU overcrowding measure; and adjust how occupancy is measured for purposes of determining overcrowding. Planning staff said the ADU occupancy edit is intended as a relatively minor regulatory change that does not alter physical ADU design standards.

Commissioners were also asked to consider three related groups of special-use permit changes: (1) reclassifying smaller indoor recreation uses (small gyms, day spas, small fitness studios) as personal service uses rather than “indoor recreation” when under a…