Planning commission backs ADU ordinance recommending size, setback and parking limits for detached units

The Highland City Planning Commission on May 2 voted to recommend a package of rules for accessory dwelling units, including detached ADUs (DADUs), that the staff will forward to the City Council for adoption.

Planning staff opened the meeting by summarizing general requirements that would apply to all ADUs: they must be registered and approved by the city, the primary property must be owner‑occupied with that requirement recorded against the parcel, ADUs must meet building, health and fire codes and are subject to inspection, and ADUs used as short‑term rentals must comply with the city’s business‑license rules. "All properties with an ADU have to be owner occupied, and ADUs have to conform to building, safety, health, electrical, all those codes," the staff presenter said.

Why it matters: the draft ordinance aims to implement recent state ADU directives while giving the city room to limit local impacts. Staff noted internal (attached) ADUs are governed by state minimums (6,000 square‑foot lot minimum for attached units) and that the state requires allowing detached ADUs on lots down to 11,000 square feet; other details — such as registration, separate addressing, and parking rules — are locally settable.

Key provisions agreed by the commission

- Lot size and conversions: Commissioners affirmed that existing…