The purpose of this section is to regulate the establishment of accessory dwelling units within or in conjunction with single-family dwellings while preserving the character of single-family neighborhoods in order to implement the policy provisions of the city's comprehensive plan by providing for the use and location of accessory dwelling units to provide for a more diverse and affordable housing stock while maintaining that the design be consistent with the historic character and development pattern of the community historical neighborhood quality. It is also the purpose of this section to provide owners of single-family dwelling units with a means of obtaining rental income, companionship, and services through tenants in either the accessory dwelling unit or the principal dwelling unit.
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a separate living space within a house or on the same property as an existing house. These units are not legal unless they have been established through a permit process. A legally permitted unit in the primary dwelling is called an attached accessory dwelling unit (AADU). A legally permitted unit on the property (but not within the primary dwellings) is called a detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU).
A. Applications for accessory dwelling units shall be processed as a Class 1 permit, subject to the following conditions:
1. A lot may have no more than one accessory dwelling unit.
a. A property may not have both an accessory dwelling unit and a conditional use.
b. An accessory dwelling unit may be permitted on a nonconforming lot as long as it does not increase the nonconformity.
B. Proposed sites for accessory dwelling units must comply with the following:
1. Maximum lot coverage including all structures on the property is 60 percent. The maximum lot coverage may not be exceeded by addition of an ADU.
2. Setback requirements of the underlying zone apply.
3. Detached ADUs must be located to the rear of the main residential structure, or in accordance with development regulations and surrounding properties.
4. One additional off-street parking space is required for any detached ADU and must be maintained for year-round access. No additional parking is required for an attached/interior ADU.
5. ADUs shall not be subdivided or otherwise segregated in ownership from the primary dwelling unit.
C. Standards for All ADUs.
1. Living space for the ADU must total at least 220 square feet and is not to exceed 1,000 square feet.
2. The ADU shall also not exceed the square footage of the other dwelling unit.
D. Building Characteristics for Detached ADUs.
1. All ADUs must comply with Chapter
18.50 RMC, Architectural Design Standards and Design Review, or Chapter
18.60 RMC, Historic Register Design Review, if applicable.
2. ADUs shall not exceed a height of 25 feet.
E. ADUs shall be permitted through the issuance of a certificate of zoning compliance which is a Class 1 permit.
F. Grandfathering of Existing Dwellings. If an ADU was created without being part of a project for which a building permit was finalized, the city shall require a building inspection to determine if the structure is sound, will not pose a hazard to people or property, and meets the requirements of this section and the building code.
(Ord. 1059 § 2 (Exh. A (12.140.030)), 2010; Ord. 1060 §§ 5, 6, 2010; Ord. 1192 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022)