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Council limits accessory-building height to 25 feet, keeps agricultural exception
Summary
Perry's council approved an amendment to the zoning code that separates accessory building height from primary-building height, imposing a 25-foot maximum on accessory structures while retaining existing 50-foot allowances for legitimate agricultural buildings in agricultural zones.
The Perry City Council on June 26 approved an ordinance that changes the code table for building heights to separate primary and accessory structures. Councilors and planning staff described the change as a response to recent permit applications in which accessory buildings approached the same height and bulk as primary residences.
What changed - Primary buildings (single-family homes) retain the current 35-foot maximum height in residential zones and higher limits in some commercial zones. - Accessory buildings (sheds, detached garages and similar structures) now have a 25-foot maximum height in residential zones, suggested by planning commission to reduce the instances of large accessory structures imposing on neighbors. - The existing code exemption for bona fide agricultural buildings in agricultural zones remains in place (50-foot allowance).
Why it matters Planning staff said a small number of accessory structures had been built or proposed that taxed neighbors' expectations for scale and setback; the new 25-foot cap aims to protect neighborhood scale while still allowing common accessory uses and keeping ADU options viable.
Action and vote - Council moved and seconded adoption of the accessory-building ordinance (listed as Ordinance 25-G). The motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote (Young, Walker, Osler, Wright and Tueller all voted "Yes").
Next steps Staff said they will implement the updated code and monitor permit applications for unintended consequences; if ADU applicants or others find the height restrictive, councilors suggested staff can return with amendments.
