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Trustees adjust accessory-building rules; small shed height raised to 12 feet
Summary
The board discussed measurement of accessory structure limits (footprint vs. total floor area), raised the maximum roof-point height for small sheds under 200 sq ft from 10 to 12 feet, and debated graduated size caps tied to lot size (examples: 1,000 sq ft on small lots versus 1,500 sq ft on larger lots).
Trustees and staff examined multiple provisions for detached accessory buildings in the draft code, with three recurring issues:
1) Measurement: whether to limit accessory buildings by footprint (building footprint at ground) or by total floor area (including lofts). Several trustees argued footprint-based limits better align with visual impact; staff noted building-code and permitting practice often measures floor area and peak height.
2) Small-shed height: the board agreed (straw consensus) to raise the allowed ridge/roof point for buildings under 200 square feet from 10 feet to 12 feet so typical backyard sheds with modest roof pitch would be practicable while still limiting second-floor occupancy.
3) Larger outbuilding caps: trustees discussed tiered maximums by lot size. The draft ties larger accessory buildings on 1'3 acre lots and up to 3,000+ square-foot agricultural buildings on 6-acre-plus parcels; trustees asked staff to reconcile chart entries that conflicted (3,000 vs 3,200 square feet in different places) and to propose consistent height/area limits for residential and ag parcels.
Staff will reconcile cross-references, correct typos and inconsistency in the draft tables, and consult the building department on how height is measured (to midpoint or peak) to align the zoning text with the building code.
