Cochise County board approves variance allowing 1,026‑square‑foot accessory dwelling

The Cochise County Board of Adjustment on an evening voice vote approved VAR25‑08, a variance to allow a 1,026‑square‑foot accessory dwelling unit on a parcel zoned RU‑4 in Supervisor District 2.

Staff told the board the parcel (Tax Parcel 10760027) is in the Hobby Forge Branch subdivision and that recent state-driven changes to Arizona law and a county text amendment altered some ADU development standards. Staff said the county amendment now gives the board authority to grant relief from accessory structure development standards and that ADUs may be up to 75 percent of the principal dwelling or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less, but variances are required for deviations. Based on the variance factors staff recommended approval without special conditions.

The applicant and neighbors spoke in support. The applicant described the request as driven by "cost effectiveness" and by a need tied to a particular manufactured model that best fits his household; staff summarized that the applicants are requesting a 1,026‑square‑foot ADU, a roughly 2.6 percent increase over the numeric threshold discussed in the regulations. Neighbor Susan Kitchell told the board, "we don't have any problem with that as well." Staff also reported two written responses in favor and one response asking that the ADU be sited farther north on the parcel.

Staff noted Section 2.6001 of the zoning regulations identifies eight factors the board must weigh when evaluating a variance; staff said the application complied with five of those factors and did not comply with three. The record includes a site plan showing the proposed ADU location near Abernathy Court and drone imagery showing adjacent undeveloped parcels to the north, south and east.

After the public comment period the board moved, seconded and approved the variance by voice vote.

The approval allows construction of the 1,026‑square‑foot ADU as proposed; staff indicated no special conditions were attached and that the applicants will proceed through building permits as required.