Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Are ADUs a Good Idea for Washington Grove?

Under the Town’s current zoning ordinances, property owners are not permitted to maintain an independent living area, either attached or detached from their main residence. Such rental units are recommended, however, by the Town’s 2022 Comprehensive Plan (PDF).  The Planning Commission would like to get a sense from Town residents as to whether now is the time to move in that direction. Allowing the construction/establishment of ADUs would require that we move our zoning ordinances away from the Town’s traditional one-family dwelling model, but would permit homeowners to include modest on-site rental properties that could provide income streams.

The mayor and Town Council have asked the Planning Commission to draft changes to Article VII of our Code of Ordinances to allow for ADUs if the Town feels now is the right time to do it. Changes to zoning ordinances are called Zoning Text Amendments (ZTAs).

You can review:

• the final ordinance (PDF)
• the draft ordinance/ZTA, as reviewed and amended by the Town Council in March 2024 (note that this is in Word because PDF format does not show redlined comments. You will need to download the file to view it.)
• the draft ordinance/ZTA, as accepted by the Planning Commission in December 2023 after receiving comments (PDF), along with a cover letter from the Commission to the Town Council proposing a timeline for further discussion and enactment (PDF)
• the earlier (September 2023) draft ordinance/ZTA that will enable the Town to allow ADUs (PDF). This draft awaits input from our Town residents so that the Planning Commission can address residents’ concerns or questions.
• a presentation summarizing what is being proposed in the draft ZTA (PDF).

Comments Received from Committees or Commissions

• March 23, 2024 letter from the HPC with further proposed revisions (PDF)
• December 2023 RASEC position paper (PDF)
• September 22, 2023 email from the HPC (PDF)
  • Proposed HPC Revisions to the ADU Ordinance (downloadable Word file)

Comments Received from Individual Residents

• January 23, 2024 email from Tom and Sylvia Appleby (PDF)
• January 21, 2024 email from John McClelland (PDF)
• January 4, 2024 email from Nan Aitel-Thompson (PDF)
• October 4, 2023 email from John McClelland (PDF)
• October 3, 2023 email from Bill Earl (PDF)
• October 1, 2023 email from Ann Philips (PDF)
• October 1, 2023 letter from Craig and Mary Lou English (PDF)
• September 28, 2023 Letter from Mimi Bolotin (PDF)
• September 25, 2023 letter from Joe Clark (PDF)