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Council adopts ordinance clarifying accessory buildings and ADU rules
Summary
Olivia approved Ordinance 2026-03 to update definitions and standards for accessory buildings, accessory structures, decks and accessory dwelling units, including new treatment of attached garages for setbacks and footprint calculations.
The Olivia City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 2026-03, updating Chapter 152 definitions and standards for accessory buildings, accessory structures, decks and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Elizabeth, a city staff member, told the council the ordinance resulted from extensive planning commission work during 2025 and clarified terminology and standards, saying the changes "clarify the terminology" and standardize setbacks and footprint rules. She explained that attached accessory buildings (for example, attached garages) must share a wall or structural connection to be treated as attached and that attached accessory structures (other than decks) are treated as part of the principal building for setbacks, height, bulk and area, but they do not count toward the principal building footprint in the same way a detached accessory building would.
No public comments were offered during the hearing. Councilmember Howard moved to approve the ordinance; Bumgardner seconded and the motion carried by voice vote. The council then approved Resolution 9 to authorize title-and-summary publication.
The ordinance codifies planning-commission recommendations and aims to harmonize zoning and building code practices so that permitted accessory structures are clearer for property owners and staff. The changes were described as intended to reduce prior confusion about whether attached garages counted against accessory structure limits.
