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City staff proposes standards for detached accessory buildings; commission to refer to council and return next year
Summary
Staff proposed new standards limiting the footprint of detached accessory structures (maximum 60% of principal building ground‑floor area) and requiring compatible exterior materials for buildings 400 sq ft or larger; Planning & Zoning agreed to share the draft with city council and return with a formal text amendment in early next year.
City planning staff presented a draft amendment on Nov. 18 proposing design and size standards for detached accessory structures in single‑family zoning districts.
Under the draft, an individual detached accessory building would be limited to no more than 60% of the ground‑floor area of the principal residence; the combined footprint of all accessory buildings would still be limited to the primary building’s ground‑floor area. Staff also proposed that accessory buildings of 400 square feet or larger (roughly a 20‑by‑20 two‑car garage) be constructed with exterior wall materials that complement the principal building’s design to avoid industrial‑looking outbuildings in residential neighborhoods.
Staff framed the change as a narrow design standard intended to preserve neighborhood character and close a regulatory gap. The proposal would add objective standards that staff could enforce when reviewing accessory‑structure permits, with a path to Planning & Zoning review if a proposal is close to the standard or raises subjective design questions. Commissioners generally supported the approach and asked staff to share the draft with the city council; staff said a formal text amendment would be drafted and likely considered early next year.
