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Planning commission backs ADU changes to drop impact fees and parking requirements
Summary
The commission recommended approval of land‑development changes to accessory dwelling units that remove the requirement for two extra parking spaces and eliminate single‑family‑rate impact fees, while adjusting how detached ADU garages count toward allowable square footage.
The Planning Commission voted 5–0 on March 17 to recommend approval of ordinance 2026-17, a land‑development code amendment (CDA26-00002) revising accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules.
Zoning Manager Tisha Manny said the city originally approved ADUs in 2023 but that the prior code required two additional parking spaces and charged impact fees at the single‑family rate for new ADUs. Under the proposed changes staff recommended removing the mandatory additional parking requirement and eliminating the single‑family rate impact fee. Manny said the change will make ADUs less costly to build; she reported that, under the old approach, impact fees could be roughly $25,000.
The ordinance also adjusts how detached ADU garages are counted: a detached garage will count toward permitted square footage so that owners cannot use the garage rule to effectively create two full single‑family homes on one lot. The draft prohibits detached garages for ADUs where doing so would enable two single‑family residences on a single lot; attached ADUs and internal conversions remain subject to the regular square‑footage limits in the ordinance (for example, maximums tied to a fraction of the primary dwelling or a 1,000‑square‑foot cap on smaller lots as specified in code).
Commissioners asked how parking would be accommodated without a new requirement; staff said many grid and infill lots have sufficient yard or driveway space and that the city enforces rules against parking in the right of way. Staff also noted state rules about rental and occupancy are evolving; the ordinance retains owner‑occupancy/homestead references but some rental restrictions may change depending on state law.
A motion to recommend approval was made and seconded; the commission voted 5–0 to recommend adoption. The item will be transmitted to City Council for final action.
