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Communities starting <br />to reconsider ADU <br />requirements <br />Some local governments in Washington <br />State and elsewhere are reexamining <br />their"standard"ADU requirements and <br />questioning the rationale behind them, <br />especially given the low production <br />rate of new accessory dwelling units. <br />As a result, some communities are <br />considering changes to ADU regulations, <br />such as: <br />• Unit size: Most current ADU <br />standards set a maximum size (for <br />example, 800 square feet), but some <br />communities are considering an <br />increase to their limit to provide <br />more flexibility. <br />• On-site parking: Some local <br />governments are looking at <br />a reduction or elimination of <br />standards requiring on-site parking <br />spaces for the ADU's occupants, <br />especially in areas where there <br />is adequate on -street parking. <br />Such a change may face stronger <br />opposition in neighborhood where <br />street parking is at a premium. <br />• Detached ADUs: Most codes <br />only allow attached ADUs, but <br />more communities are expanding <br />regulations to permit detached <br />ADUs (which are usually required <br />to be placed in the back half of a <br />residential lot). Even if allowed, the <br />high cost of constructing "backyard <br />cottages" may limit the number that <br />actually get built. <br />• Owner -occupancy: Most codes <br />require that the property owner <br />needs to occupy either the primary <br />or accessory unit, but some <br />communities (such as Seattle) <br />are considering removing this <br />requirement. <br />• Allowing more than two dwelling <br />units: A "cutting edge" regulatory <br />change is to increase the maximum <br />number of dwelling units on a single <br />family lot to three (by allowing <br />one primary dwelling unit, one <br />attached ADU, and one detached <br />ADU). In Seattle, the City Council <br />is currently considering proposed <br />code revisions that would include <br />an increase to three units on one lot. <br />Discussion about these types of <br />changes has caused anxiety for some <br />homeowners, who are concerned about <br />the impacts on neighborhood character <br />and property values. On the other side <br />are affordable housing advocates who <br />consider changing existing regulations <br />as a way to effectively increase the <br />number of legal ADUs. <br />Regardless of how local governments <br />decide to regulate them, ADUs may <br />be a viable approach to address a <br />community's growth and affordable <br />housing policies in a manner that is <br />acceptable to residents (especially if they <br />16 <br />consider the alternatives). Just be sure <br />regulations and development review <br />process aren't so burdensome that <br />property owners end up not creating <br />these dwelling units or building an ADU <br />without obtaining the required permits. <br />Resources <br />Accessory Dwellings website <br />www.accessorydwellings.org <br />MRSC's Accessory Dwel <br />;s: Issues & Options <br />MRSC's Accessory Dwelling <br />Units and Affordable Housing <br />17 <br />