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 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 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).
The Planning Commission invites Town residents to submit written comments on the potential changes described in the links above.