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Germantown adopts zoning and code amendments in unanimous vote
Summary
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved Ordinance 2026‑5 on Feb. 23, 2026, revising portions of the municipal code (chapters 2, 6, 17 and 23) to clarify fence rules, expand limited administrative approvals, adjust accessory‑structure and ADU rules, and reorganize use/bulk tables.
The Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved Ordinance 2026‑5 on third and final reading during its Feb. 23, 2026 meeting, adopting a package of zoning and municipal code updates intended to improve clarity and streamline development reviews.
The amendments, presented by Community and Economic Development Director Cameron Ross, reorganize repetitive language into use and bulk tables, add parking lot tables, allow up to 10 percent administrative approval authority for site plans at both the Planning Commission and Design Review Commission levels, clarify fence height measurement and materials, and update definitions and size limits for accessory structures and accessory dwelling units.
"The item in front of you is the amendments, our annual, semi‑annual amendments to the zoning code as well as other portions of the code," Director Cameron Ross told the board, summarizing the work of planning staff and multiple commissions. Ross said the changes were reviewed by the Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Design Review Commission, and that they are intended to add clarity, consistency and efficiency to municipal land‑use processes.
Alderman Salvaggio, who moved the ordinance, praised staff for producing a concise, clear document. "This is truly one of the best documents I've ever seen from a clarity standpoint, efficiency standpoint," he said, urging the board to continue annual refinements.
The motion to adopt Ordinance 2026‑5 was moved by Alderman Salvaggio and seconded by Alderman Hicks. The clerk recorded affirmative votes from Aldermen Yulicki, Salvaggio, Sanders, Vice Mayor Gibson and Hicks; the ordinance passed on third and final reading.
Votes at a glance Ordinance 2026‑5 (Amendments to Chapters 2, 6, 17 and 23): mover Alderman Salvaggio; second Alderman Hicks; vote 5–0; outcome: approved on third and final reading.
What changed - Administrative approvals: up to 10% of site‑plan approvals may be handled administratively at Planning Commission and Design Review Commission levels. - Fences: clarified how fence height is measured and which materials are permitted. - Accessory structures and ADUs: refined definitions, size limits and siting rules tied to lot sizes and zoning districts. - Process changes: moved conditional use permit considerations to Planning Commission review to reduce procedural steps.
The board and staff framed the package as a housekeeping and efficiency update rather than a substantive rezone; Director Ross described the changes as aligning the code with routine applications and recent practice. The ordinance will be codified and take effect according to the city's normal ordinance-adoption process.
