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Oconomowoc council adopts accessory dwelling unit ordinance with limits on garage units
Summary
The Common Council approved a new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance on second reading Nov. 19, 2024, setting size, fee and deed‑restriction rules and directing staff to add language limiting livable levels above garages and clarifying utility fees.
Oconomowoc’s Common Council on Nov. 19 approved an ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in residential zones, establishing size limits, fee rules and a deed restriction to prevent separate sale.
The ordinance sets a minimum ADU size of 400 square feet and a maximum of 1,000 square feet, requires property owners to pay city garbage and refuse fees for two dwelling units, and, as recommended by plan commission staff, waives municipal impact fees for ADUs at the time of building permit. Staff explained wastewater pre‑permitting or connection charges could still apply when meter sizes increase. The ordinance requires owners to file a deed restriction with the Waukesha County Register of Deeds preventing separate sale of an ADU unit.
Council members focused much of the debate on technical clarifications. Alderman Rosick and others pressed for explicit language limiting multi‑level living spaces above garages; staff agreed to add wording that would prevent two full, independent dwelling levels over a single‑car garage (the intent is to avoid stacked apartments and to keep rooftop heights within the existing 25‑foot ADU maximum). Council also directed staff to add a line clarifying that any necessary utility or connection fees will be determined by the city utility and building inspection departments and listed separately from impact fees.
Two residents urged adoption during public comment. Mary Steinke said the ordinance “brings order, and there's enforcement when there's codes,” and Carrie Cruz described ADUs as a family‑friendly option that can help keep relatives in the community and provide modest supplemental income.
The measure passed on second reading after amendments were agreed and incorporated. Councilmembers said they will track takeup and asked staff for a follow‑up report in about a year on how many ADUs are permitted and any fiscal or service impacts.
What’s next: Staff will finalize the ordinance language to reflect the single‑level limit above garages and the separate utility/connection fee language, and the ordinance will be published as adopted with those technical edits.
