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Huachuca City council reviews tiny homes and accessory dwelling unit rules
Summary
At a Jan. 29 work session, Huachuca City council opened discussion on allowing tiny homes by treating them as accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Dr. Jim Johnson outlined limits including one ADU per lot, single-bedroom cap, same utility service requirement, and proposed reduced side setbacks.
Huachuca City’s council opened a work-session discussion on Jan. 29 on whether tiny homes should be permitted by classifying them as accessory dwelling units, Mayor Johann R. Wallace said as he moved to place the item on the table for discussion. Dr. Jim Johnson presented the staff/consultant recap and details.
Dr. Jim Johnson told the council that tiny homes "can be classified as an Accessory Dwelling Unit." He outlined proposed or recap standards: only one ADU would be allowed per single-family lot; ADUs can be attached or detached; ADUs must be accessed from the main street rather than an alley; ADUs cannot be subdivided or separately owned from the principal residence; ADUs would be limited to a single bedroom; and ADUs must be served by the same water, sewer and electric utility providers and meters as the primary house.
Johnson also noted dimensional considerations: the presentation included a proposal to lower side-yard setbacks for ADUs from 7 feet to 5 feet or possibly 3 feet to increase placement flexibility on smaller lots. He said each ADU would need a separate, independent entrance and that the primary house must meet minimum property and building maintenance standards before an ADU could be approved.
Councilmembers discussed the items after the presentation. Councilmember Christy Hirshberg seconded Mayor Wallace’s motion to open the item for discussion; the record shows the council debated ADU placement, access, and design standards but the transcript does not record a formal vote adopting any ordinance or amendment at this meeting. The presentation materials shown in the transcript served as a recap rather than a final ordinance draft.
Next steps were not specified in the meeting record. The transcript indicates council gave direction to discuss the subjects and may refer matters to staff for potential action at subsequent council meetings.
