In an effort to address affordable housing in the City, Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird is proposing changes to regulations regarding Accessory Dwelling Units. The proposed changes are designed to make it easier to establish ADUs and are scheduled to be considered by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission in early March.
Accessory Dwelling Units are second, smaller homes that can be connected to the main residence or be built as a separate unit on the same residential lot as an existing single-family home. “As we increase access to this versatile type of housing, we expand affordable housing options for renters, provide additional income for homeowners, and promote efficient use of land and infrastructure, all while preserving the character of our neighborhoods,” Gaylor Baird says.
The proposed changes would affect the following regulations for ADUs:
- Lot area changes: The proposed amendment would allow ADUs on lots that meet the area requirements for a single-family dwellings. Currently, ADUs are permitted on lots with adequate space to accommodate a two-family structure.
- Setback changes: The proposed amendment would require attached ADUs to meet the setback of the primary residence, while allowing detached ADUs to follow setback requirements for accessory buildings in the district, provided they are at least 60 feet behind the front lot line. Currently, all ADUs must meet the setbacks of the main building.
- Exemptions from accessory floor area totals: ADUs would no longer count toward total accessory floor area calculations, meaning a large garage would not preclude the construction of an ADU.
- Adjusted height requirements: ADUs would follow the height limit of the zoning district, without the current restriction prohibiting an ADU from exceeding the height of the main building. For ADUs within the setbacks, however, height regulations for accessory buildings would still apply.
- Clarification of short-term rental conditions: The proposed amendment clarifies that while an ADU may be used as a short-term rental, a lot would not be permitted to have an ADU and a separate short-term rental in addition to the main house.
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