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Commission backs citywide changes to accessory-structure size rules, raises lot-coverage cap
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Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend amendments that would raise the accessory-building lot-coverage cap from 10% to 20%, clarify square-foot caps, correct a textual error referencing RF/RTC, and strike a clause that limited accessory buildings to the size of the principal structure.
The Norwalk City Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 23 recommended approval of a citywide zoning-text amendment that would alter bulk rules for accessory structures in residential districts.
Elliot, a planning staff member, described three main reforms: clarify square‑foot caps already on the books (1,500 sq. ft. in RE‑1; 1,000 sq. ft. in R‑1 and RF), change the accessory‑building lot‑coverage limit from 10% to 20%, and remove an interpretive line that had been used to restrict accessory buildings to no larger than principal structures in gross floor area. “We thought it was worth contemplating just taking out that last line and just using the square footage limiter and the percent lot coverage instead,” Elliot said.
Staff said the change responds to cases where very small principal structures (for example, houses under 1,000 sq. ft.) were being blocked from reasonable accessory building sizes by the older rule tying accessory size to principal building size. Elliot also identified a textual error in the code that still referenced an old acronym (RTC) instead of RF; staff asked the commission that the motion explicitly strike the outdated language.
Commissioners asked whether the amendment affects accessory‑dwelling units (ADUs) and whether height limits apply; staff said the rules are separate from ADU regulations and that standard residential height limits (15 feet to midpoint) remain in force, with special‑use permits available to exceed height when appropriate.
After discussion and the clerk’s roll call, the commission approved the amendments with explicit instruction in the motion to remove the dated limiting sentence. The motion carried; staff will prepare the ordinance package and forward the recommendation to city council.
