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Planning commission backs recommendation to city council to clarify ADU definition
Summary
Hurricane planners recommended the city council adopt a clarified accessory dwelling unit definition that removes a family‑occupancy exception to prevent multiple self‑contained units inside a single house. Staff said the change aligns with state language and eases enforcement.
The Hurricane City Planning Commission voted Sept. 25 to send a recommendation of approval to the City Council for LUC825‑06, a code clarification that revises the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) definition.
Planning staff explained the proposed change would align the ADU definition with state language and remove a prior exception that excluded units occupied by family members. Staff told commissioners that exception had been exploited to build multiple self‑contained units within a single house by claiming the occupants were family; the new definition treats any separate unit with a kitchen and sleeping/bath facilities as an ADU and limits properties to one ADU regardless of who occupies it.
Commissioners raised enforcement questions and asked how the change would affect building‑plan submittals. Staff acknowledged enforcement challenges but said the clarified, objective definition helps staff determine whether a unit meets ADU criteria at the time of plan review, rather than relying on later occupancy claims. The commission voted to send the recommendation to the city council for final action.
