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Board approves first reading to align zoning with Iowa accessory-dwelling law (SF 592)
Summary
Woodbury County moved to align its zoning code with Iowa Senate File 592, which requires counties to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit on single-family lots; Daniel Priestley said the ordinance change sets the second dwelling size at 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the existing home, whichever is greater, and the board approved the first reading 5-0.
The Woodbury County Board opened and closed a public hearing and approved the first reading of a zoning text amendment to comply with Iowa Senate File 592, which mandates that counties allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on lots with single-family residences and prohibits certain restrictive local regulations.
Daniel Priestley, the county zoning coordinator, said the state law is in effect and the local code must be updated to avoid conflict. He summarized the standard: a second dwelling may be up to 1,000 square feet or 50% of the size of the existing residence, whichever is greater. No public comments were offered during the hearing, and the board approved the amendments first reading by unanimous vote.
Staff will publish the ordinance changes and proceed with updating the land-use summary table, lot requirements and related definitions to make county code consistent with the new state law.
