Mayfield commission begins work on accessory dwelling unit rules, asks for draft ordinance

Mayfield’s Planning and Zoning Commission opened a formal discussion July 17 on updating town code to regulate accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and asked staff to prepare a draft ordinance for public review and hearing.

The commission discussed how to define ADUs (attached vs. detached), minimum setbacks, utility requirements and enforcement measures. Mayor Steve Anderson told commissioners that recent state guidance requires towns to allow accessory dwellings within homes and said the commission must write local standards that meet state law while protecting neighborhood character: "The state, about 2 or 3 years ago, mandated that a town could not refuse to allow somebody to have a accessory dwelling within their home." He asked staff to gather templates from comparable cities and return with language commissioners could refine.

Commissioners focused on practical limits tied to public health and safety: septic systems must be sized by the health department based on bathrooms and bedrooms; basement apartments generally require a separate exit; and towns often require additional off-street parking for ADUs. Commissioners also debated whether ADUs should be rentable to nonfamily members and how to prevent owners from creating multiple accessory structures that function as separate residences. "We have to govern that so that it doesn't get out of hand," one commissioner said, citing concerns about parking, parties and short-term rentals.

The commission directed staff to prepare a proposed ordinance (sampling language from nearby cities such as Moroni) and to schedule a public hearing before the council as part of any ordinance-change process. The discussion produced no vote on a specific ordinance text; commissioners agreed to a follow-up drafting process and public notice prior to any change taking effect.