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Council reviews proposed ADU rules: 800-square-foot cap, separate metering and parking requirement
Summary
Staff proposed letting accessory dwelling units on single-family lots, limiting ADUs to 800 sq ft, requiring one off-street parking space and separate metering; council asked whether ADU occupants would be held to STR good-neighbor rules.
The council reviewed proposed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations as part of a larger Development Code package. Holly Byram, contract city planner, outlined the ADU-specific standards included in the draft code.
Byram said the draft would permit one ADU per single-family detached property, require the ADU to be a permanent structure and cap its size at 800 square feet. "The ADU shall be a permanent structure. It would not exceed 800 square feet in size," she said. The draft keeps existing zone setbacks and maintains lot coverage limits; the ADU front facade cannot be located forward of the primary dwelling's main wall, and variances may be allowed for unusual lot configurations.
On infrastructure, staff reported the planning commission recommended separately metering ADUs and applying system development charges (SDCs) per the city's SDC methodology, though a distinct ADU SDC rate is not yet established. Byram explained sidewalks would be required on the frontage when access for an ADU made it necessary.
Council member Lauren asked whether ADU occupants would have to follow the STR 'good neighbor' rules; staff replied those policies are in the short-term rental section and are not automatically applied to ADU occupants beyond noise and setback codes. The motion to direct staff to draft ordinance language followed; a final vote was not recorded in the excerpt.
Next steps: staff will incorporate council direction into ordinance language and return with a formal ordinance for adoption at a subsequent meeting.
