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Henry County fiscal court holds first reading of ADU zoning amendment
Summary
Henry County fiscal court completed a first reading of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) amendment to the county zoning ordinance after staff read the full draft. The measure sets definitions, size and lot requirements, owner‑occupancy rules, construction standards and a conditional‑use permitting process; the court accepted the first reading and will consider a second reading next month.
The Henry County Fiscal Court completed a first reading of an amendment to the county zoning ordinance that would govern accessory dwelling units, commonly called ADUs.
Jason, planning and zoning staff, introduced the item and said the court would receive a full text reading. Staff member Cassidy read the ordinance aloud, which defines an ADU as "a secondary self contained residential dwelling unit" on the same lot as a principal single‑family dwelling and sets standards on location, size and use.
Key provisions in the draft include a limit of one ADU per parcel; owner occupancy of the primary residence at time of application; minimum detached lot sizes of 20,000 square feet with public sewer or two acres without; a permitted ADU footprint between 400 and 800 square feet and not to exceed 50% of the primary residence's above‑grade living area; a maximum of two bedrooms; and a one‑year completion requirement tied to the conditional use permit.
Jason said the ordinance is a first reading and urged members to review the language before the second reading next month. The court voted to accept the first reading by voice vote (motion by Danny; second by Carl). No public hearing or final vote occurred at this meeting.
If adopted after the required second reading and any amendments, the ordinance would require ADU applicants to comply with applicable health and utility regulations, share driveway access with the primary dwelling, meet setbacks similar to the principal residence, and avoid sale or separate conveyance of the ADU from the principal dwelling.
Next steps: staff will schedule the second reading next month and bring any recommended edits back to the court for final consideration.
