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Commissioners direct staff toward 1,000-square-foot limit for accessory dwelling units in first reading
Summary
At first reading, Polk County staff presented an ordinance to set size limits for accessory dwelling units and reinstate a five-foot setback for accessory structures; the board signaled a majority preference for a 1,000-square-foot limit but took no final vote.
Polk County commissioners on March 4 discussed a proposed ordinance to add size limits for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and to reinstate a five-foot setback for accessory structures. The item was presented at first reading; no final adoption vote was taken.
Planning and zoning staff said the proposal would limit ADU size to prevent secondary structures that effectively function as separate single-family homes and to address subdivision and impact-fee concerns. Staff recommended a 1,000-square-foot limit; the planning commission had recommended a different approach, a limit of 50% of the primary structure. Staff also proposed reestablishing a five-foot setback for accessory structures (sheds, gazebos) after a prior reduction to a zero-foot setback led to maintenance and runoff issues.
During discussion, commissioners asked how a 1,000-square-foot rules interacts with impact fees and future parceling. Staff explained that ADUs under 1,000 square feet could be treated as accessory for impact-fee purposes (subject to multifamily assessment in some cases) and that property appraiser parceling practices can create nonconforming lots. Staff said 1,000 square feet was chosen in part because it approximates the historical average for ADUs.
No final vote was taken at the first reading. The chair asked commissioners to indicate direction; a majority of commissioners said they were leaning toward the 1,000-square-foot limit. Staff will return a revised ordinance for adoption with the board's direction noted.
Public comment included brief questions from residents clarifying how the ordinance applied to barns, pole barns and other accessory structures; staff clarified that the 1,000-square-foot ADU limit applies only to accessory dwelling units where someone lives and not to nonresidential accessory structures.
Because the item was at first reading, the board's responses served as direction to prepare an adoption version consistent with the indicated preference rather than as a final policy change.
