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Council moves forward with accessory-dwelling-unit draft to meet state October 2026 mandate
Summary
Staff presented a draft ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family zones to comply with a state requirement due by October 2026; the draft has been shared with the Maryland Department of Planning and will go to special counsel and a public hearing in June.
City staff presented a draft zoning ordinance (Ordinance 10/2026) to implement accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single-family zoning districts to comply with a state mandate that takes effect in October 2026.
City manager Jim said the draft matches state direction and that planning director Gray has shared the draft with the Maryland Department of Planning; staff has requested special counsel to review the ordinance. Jim described ADUs as self-contained dwelling units—sometimes called “granny flats”—that include cooking, sanitary and living facilities and can be detached or within existing buildings; the draft generally caps ADUs at no greater than 70% of the principal dwelling’s size.
Because the ordinance affects zoning, staff said it will require a public hearing before adoption and staff expects that hearing to occur at the council’s June workshop. Councilors did not take a final vote at the May workshop; staff said they may adjust the draft after counsel’s review.
