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Vero Beach planners to pursue comprehensive-plan amendments to expand accessory dwelling units outside single‑family districts
Summary
City planning staff told the council they will bring comprehensive plan amendments this summer to expand accessory dwelling unit (ADU) allowances in medium- and high-density residential and downtown areas; permitting ADUs in single‑family districts would require a referendum due to charter and long‑standing zoning rules.
Planning staff told the Vero Beach City Council on May 27 they are preparing comprehensive plan amendments to expand where accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are allowed within the city — specifically in multifamily, medium- and high-density residential land‑use categories and downtown — but they said allowing ADU rentals citywide in single‑family neighborhoods would require voter approval.
Jason, the planning director, told council the Arts Village already allows accessory structures and that staff are drafting a comp‑plan amendment and related zoning changes to implement broader ADU permission in appropriate districts. "We are working on some further policies through the comprehensive plan...at some point either in June or July, I'll be bringing the final comp plan and proposed comp plan amendment," Jason said, describing the next steps in the process.
Staff noted longstanding definitions dating back to 1948 and a 1989 charter amendment that restrict single‑family districts to one dwelling unit; because those rules would have to be changed by citizen vote, planners recommended pursuing ADU expansion through downtown and multi‑family amendments in the near term.
Council asked staff to continue work and return with the formal amendment and required map and code changes.
