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Rowan County adopts rules to allow accessory dwelling units with standards
Summary
Commissioners adopted a zoning text amendment (ZTA 01‑25) allowing accessory dwelling units up to 1,000 sq ft with requirements on setbacks, wastewater/water, and watershed/density controls; staff said the change addresses common requests for accessory units.
Rowan County commissioners on Sept. 2 approved ZTA 01‑25, a zoning text amendment to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) under specified standards.
Planning staff said ADUs are detached or attached residential units accessory to a single‑family dwelling and are increasingly requested for purposes such as housing aging relatives or returning adult children. The approved standards set a 1,000-square-foot maximum, require an ADU to be smaller than the principal dwelling, limit one ADU per lot, require setbacks equal to the principal structure, and require appropriate wastewater and water approvals from the Rowan County Health Department or municipal systems. In watershed areas an ADU must meet density rules (lot must equal or exceed 200% of minimum lot size in watersheds).
Staff said manufactured homes are not allowed as ADUs, and ADUs on lots under 2 acres must be located behind the principal dwelling. Planning staff noted many county residents have inquired about ADUs and that the amendment provides clear permitting pathways.
The board opened and closed a public hearing with no speakers, adopted a statement of consistency, and approved the text amendment by voice vote.
