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Council approves Unified Zoning Ordinance amendment raising certain residential heights, clarifies ADU language
Summary
The West Lafayette City Council voted to pass Ordinance 6-2026 (UCO amendment) on first and only reading to revise height limits in R3W/R4W zones and make ADU-related edits to the UCO; council also passed related routine financial ordinances and a fund transfer.
The West Lafayette City Council voted on March 2 to approve Ordinance 6‑2026, a Unified Zoning Ordinance amendment submitted by the area planning commission that adjusts residential height definitions and includes ADU-related language for unincorporated Tippecanoe County.
Chad Spitzak, the city’s housing director, told the council the amendment raises the measurement for certain residential zones (R3W and R4W) from 14 feet above grade to 40 feet measured to the peak. He also said the ordinance clarifies definitions to ensure the 40‑foot measure applies to peak height rather than finished floor height and that sections addressing ADU square footage and other limits apply to unincorporated Tippecanoe County.
Council members asked staff to clarify sequencing language for accessory dwelling units (for example, whether an owner who builds a smaller unit first could later build a primary dwelling). Spitzak said he would ask the Area Planning Commission to review suggested clarifying language.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 6‑2026: roll-call vote recorded seven yeas, no nays; Ordinance 7‑2026 (temporary loans, first of two readings): roll-call vote recorded seven yeas; Resolution 6‑2026 (transfer of funds between parks and engineering categories): roll-call vote recorded seven yeas; Resolution 5‑2026 (transparent GHG reporting): motion to table carried and item was tabled until April; Appointment of Ashlyn Walker to the Go Greener Commission: roll‑call vote recorded seven yeas (appointment passed).
What happens next: Staff will seek APC review of suggested ADU-language clarifications; Ordinance 7‑2026 will return for a second reading, per the ordinance’s schedule.
