Chapter 19.80
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADU)
Sections:
19.80.020 Use and occupancy standards.
19.80.030 Development standards.
19.80.050 Application procedure.
19.80.010 Purpose.
The intent of this chapter is to facilitate the placement of ADUs while preserving the character of the existing neighborhoods.
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is intended to allow a property owner the ability to care for family members, provide a means of increasing the supply of affordable housing, and provide a source of supplemental income for property owners. (Ord. 2043 § 1 (Att. B), 2021; Ord. 1317 § 3, 1998).
19.80.020 Use and occupancy standards.
A. The primary dwelling unit or ADU shall be owner-occupied.
B. The primary dwelling unit shall be a single-family detached structure.
C. A home occupation may be permitted in either the primary residential unit or the ADU, but not in both.
D. An ADU shall not be subdivided or otherwise segregated in ownership from the primary dwelling unit. (Ord. 2043 § 1 (Att. B), 2021; Ord. 1317 § 3, 1998).
19.80.030 Development standards.
The development standards listed below are general standards that apply to all ADUs. See the applicable zoning district regulations elsewhere in this title for additional ADU restrictions and requirements.
A. Only one ADU is permitted on a legal lot of record.
B. For lots between 3,200 and 4,356 square feet, only attached accessory dwelling units are permitted. For lots larger than 4,356 square feet both attached and detached accessory dwelling units are permitted, provided the extra lot area required in the applicable zone is met.
C. The ADU shall be between 300 and 900 square feet in gross floor area, and shall not exceed 30 percent of the total gross floor area of the primary dwelling unit (excluding garage) and proposed ADU.
D. The ADU shall include, at a minimum, kitchen, bathroom and sleeping facilities. The ADU shall not have more than two bedrooms.
E. The ADU shall have a setback an equal or greater distance from the front and interior property lines as the primary residence.
F. If the property owner discontinues residence at the property, then such owner shall either: (1) remove the accessory dwelling unit; or (2) convert the accessory dwelling unit to a permitted use.
G. Utilities for the accessory dwelling unit shall be metered jointly with the primary dwelling unit.
H. The ADU shall be set on a permanent foundation. Park model manufactured homes and tiny homes on wheels are not allowed as an ADU unless they are affixed to a permanent foundation and have been inspected to meet the currently adopted residential building code. (Ord. 2043 § 1 (Att. B), 2021; Ord. 1317 § 3, 1998).
19.80.040 Design standards.
A. Minimum Design Standards. An ADU shall be designed and constructed to maintain the architectural design, style, appearance and single-family character of the primary residence and property. In order to meet this requirement, an ADU shall, at a minimum:
1. Be equal to or less than the height of the primary residence;
2. The scale, bulk, architectural style and location on the lot of all detached accessory dwelling units shall be compatible with the established character of the principal dwelling unit and the neighborhood. Plywood and other similar sheet siding materials, such as T1-11 siding, shall not be used;
3. For attached ADUs, the ADU must have a continuous roofline of similar construction and appearance as the primary residence;
4. For detached ADUs, the ADU must be of similar construction style and color as the principal single-family residence. When added onto, or within an accessory structure such as a garage, the ADU shall maintain the construction type of the existing structure and aim to match the existing structure in design and color;
5. An attached ADU is allowed to share the same entrance as the primary dwelling unit. If the ADU has a separate entrance, then the entrance shall be directed toward the interior yard and/or shall not face the same way as the entrance for the primary dwelling unit;
6. Where practical, locate and design the ADU to minimize disruption of privacy and outdoor activities on adjacent properties. Strategies to accomplish this include, but are not limited to:
a. Stagger windows and doors to not align with such features on abutting properties.
b. Avoid upper level windows, entries and decks that face common property lines to reduce overlook of a neighboring property.
c. Install landscaping as necessary to provide for the privacy and screening of abutting property. (Ord. 2043 § 1 (Att. B), 2021; Ord. 1317 § 3, 1998).
19.80.050 Application procedure.
A. Application. The property owner shall submit a building permit and an ADU application, on forms adopted by the director. The building permit application and required plans must demonstrate that all applicable size thresholds and design standards will be met. The ADU application will be supplied by the director and will state that the property owner will occupy either the existing residence or ADU as the property owner’s primary and permanent residence.
B. Restrictive Covenant. The property owner shall file a restrictive covenant with the Pierce County assessor’s office for the subject property prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the ADU. The restrictive covenant shall consist of the following statement:
The subject property contains an accessory dwelling unit which requires the property owner to reside on-site. If the property owner discontinues residence at the property, then such owner shall either: 1) remove the accessory dwelling unit, or 2) convert the accessory dwelling unit to a permitted use.
C. Certificate of Occupancy. A certificate of occupancy for an ADU is required. (Ord. 2043 § 1 (Att. B), 2021; Ord. 1317 § 3, 1998).
19.80.060 Impact fees.
For the purpose of calculating school, traffic and park impact fees as well as water and sewer utility general facility charges, an accessory dwelling unit shall be considered as one-half of a single-family residence. Impact fees shall be paid prior to the issuance of a building permit, unless deferred as allowed in FMC Title 20. (Ord. 2043 § 1 (Att. B), 2021).