Far West planners debate rules for external accessory dwelling units, leave several details to county and utilities

Planning commissioners reviewed a detailed draft of rules for external accessory dwelling units (EADUs), clarifying setbacks, size limits and design intent while leaving several technical issues for follow-up with county and utility providers.

Commissioners agreed that an EADU would be treated like a single-family dwelling for zoning—limited in scale and appearance, and subject to a conditional use permit—rather than a duplex or multifamily building. They discussed minimum placement, lot coverage, parking and utilities and directed staff to refine plain-English verbiage and add graphics to help applicants understand how to locate an EADU on lots that are not rectangular.

The review focused on a set of specific rules already drafted by staff. Commissioners agreed the accessory unit should be set back from the primary dwelling so it is visually subordinate; the final wording will reference the property’s rear “build line” (the build line used for accessory garages) rather than the informal phrase “rear plane.” The commission insisted the EADU “shall be constructed at least 6 feet behind the primary dwelling” as a baseline…