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Mayfield staff outlines state-required interior ADUs; council delays rules for detached units
Summary
At a Dec. 10 public hearing, staff explained state-required internal accessory dwelling units (IADUs) standards — separate entrance, full kitchen and fire-rated separation — and council agreed to adopt IADU rules while postponing a decision on detached ADUs to study septic, setbacks and lot-size impacts.
Staff presented two classes of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) at the Dec. 10 Mayfield Town Council public hearing: state-required internal ADUs and optional detached ADUs. Amanda, a town staff member, told the council that internal ADUs must have their own exterior entrance, kitchen and bathroom and must meet international building and fire-code separations. She said, “That’s basically the summation of the internal,” and noted the town must implement the state mandate for interior units.
The council discussed detached ADUs — separate small structures on the same property — and the town’s constraints tied to septic systems and lot standards. Councilmember Kester urged splitting the ordinance into two parts so the council can adopt the internally required rules while taking more time to study detached ADU impacts. Kester said the detached units present unique issues for lot size and septic capacity and recommended more detailed site-plan review for each lot.
Staff clarified key technical limits the proposal would retain: accessory buildings would keep a minimum five-foot side and rear setback and a 12-foot clearance from the primary house; an accessory building may cover no more than 25% of the designated backyard. Amanda also noted the town requires applicants to demonstrate that an existing septic system can support additional occupancy for an internal ADU and that detached ADUs may require county or state health review for septic design.
The council did not vote on ADU text at the Dec. 10 hearing for detached units; members agreed the internal ADU language (required by state law) can be processed on a faster track while detached-unit rules will return for deeper study in January. The town indicated it will prepare written ordinance language and site-plan criteria for the council’s next meeting.
What’s next: Staff will draft the IADU ordinance language for consideration and return the detached-ADU regulations to a work session and the January meeting for further review.
