Accessory Dwelling UnitsRegulation UpdatePlanning Commission HearingOctober 29, 2014

What is an ADU?Second unit, accessory to main

houseAttached or detached

What are the current regulations?1 acre1200 square feet or 40%Attached or detachedFamily member onlyWater and SanitationBoard of Adjustment hearing

Why are we updating? Initiated by Aging Well in Jefferson

County60+ Population will double by

2030Increases housing options

Benefits to SeniorsMove in with or near family

(Important!)House a caretakerRemain on their property and rent out

home to supplement fixed incomeConvenience (transportation, doctors,

groceries, churches)Delay institutional living (costly to

society)

Community BenefitsMaximizes Existing InfrastructureIncreases Rental Options and Overall

Housing SupplySolution for Housing Needs for Seniors

Recommendations from Aging Well:Remove minimum lot size

requirementsRemove family member only

restrictionLimit occupancy to 3 peopleRequire owner occupancy

Recommendations from Aging Well:Allow an administrative processInclude design and visitabilityRequire on-site parkingDo not require limits on ADU’s per

neighborhood

Research 1 unit per year per 1000 single-family

households1.2 persons per unitAffects on property value: DependsArvada (2007), Golden (2010),

Lakewood (2013)

Proposed ChangesLot and Unit

sizeOccupancyProcess

Lot and Unit SizeReduces lot size for Attached

unitsReduces both lot and unit size

for detached units

Lot and Unit Size

1Whichever is less2 Limitations on the size of the accessory dwelling unit shall be in conformance with the accessory uses section. * Detached accessory dwelling units are not permitted on lots less than 7,500 sf.

Attached Unit Detached Unit

Minimum Lot Size

Minimum lot size of underlying zone district

1 acre 12,500 sf 7,500 sf*

Maximum Unit Size2

1200 sf or 40% of primary unit1

1200 sf or 40% of primary unit1

800 sf or 40% of primary unit1

600 sf or 40% of primary unit1

OccupancyOwner-

occupiedProperties

better maintained if owner lives there

ProcessAdministrativeNotificationLot and

Building standards

DesignPrivacyArchitectureHeightEntrance

Other Minor ChangesParkingSubdivisionWater and

SanitationAccess

Public OutreachReferralsTwo Public

MeetingsHOA meetings

Outstanding commentsFire District approvalHearing processAdministrative relief of standardsEnforcement of standards

Recent ChangesReplace Principal with Primary D.1. – Remove “clearly” and identify

unitsD.2. – Clarify “another single residence”D.2.b.(1) – Clarify residency D.2.b.(2) – Clarify total square feetTable 1 – Add asterisk and superscriptD.2.b.(3) – Spell out threeModify Accessory Dwelling Unit

Definition

RecommendationStaff recommends that the Planning

Commission recommend APPROVAL of these regulation revisions to the Board of County Commissioners