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Commissioners adopt 7‑foot clearance requirement for covered required parking
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Summary
Worcester County approved Bill 25‑07 requiring a 7‑foot clear height for required covered parking (garages, decks, carports) for two‑family, multifamily and townhouse units; the change establishes a standard the county said planners had lacked.
Worcester County commissioners approved Bill 25‑07 on March 3, adopting a minimum 7‑foot clear height standard for required covered parking associated with two‑family, multifamily and townhouse units.
Staff said the ordinance covers clearances at entrances and within enclosed structures and will also apply when required parking is provided under decks or balconies. The measure, which the county planning staff said received a unanimous favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission, was presented with examples of conflicts between advertised garage‑door openings and actual in‑structure clearance.
Speaker presentation: a staff member summarized the text amendment: “The bill basically requires a 7 foot clear height whether it's at the entrance or within the structure.” Commissioners asked whether retrofitting would be required; staff said it would not apply to existing, completed construction. Commissioner questions focused on whether the rule would apply to decks and carports and on typical garage‑door heights; staff and commissioners agreed the rule is intended to protect purchasers from misleading advertising of usable garage clearance.
The motion to approve was made and seconded without extended discussion; the board approved the ordinance by voice vote.
