Effective immediately the area proposed for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) must be finished prior to submitting for an ADU application.

Current applicants with active building permits, as of July 22, 2020, intended to establish an Accessory Dwelling Unit, will be governed under the Accessory Dwelling Unit code in place prior to this amendment, will be given until January 21, 2021 to submit an Accessory Dwelling Unit application. Applicants that have not applied for a building permit with the intention to establish an Accessory Dwelling Unit will be required to follow the provisions as amended in Ordinance 2020-09.

Section 15.34.060—Accessory Dwelling Units:

(amended by Ordinance 2020-09 07.22.2020) 

The purpose of the accessory dwelling unit ordinance is to promote areas in the city to accommodate an expanding population, establish regulations to address the health, safety and welfare of the community, to provide flexibility for changes in household size associated with life cycle and to enable a level of financial security for home owners.

1. Location: Accessory dwelling units are allowed as an accessory use to a single-family detached residence and are limited to the following development configurations: 

a. Over a detached garage, provided the parking within the garage is not eliminated or converted to living space, stairs or otherwise disrupts required parking; 

b. Within the home through an internal conversion of the housing unit maintaining an internal connection between living areas; or 

c. An addition to the home, containing an internal connection between the accessory dwelling unit and the principal part of the dwelling unit; provided, that the addition will not alter the single-family character of the structure. 

2. Minimum Lot Size: A minimum lot size of five thousand two hundred (5200) square feet is required for homes containing an accessory dwelling unit. 

3. External appearance: The accessory dwelling unit shall not alter the appearance of the structure as a single-family residence. There shall be no external evidence of occupancy by more than one (1) family, such as two (2) front doors. The architectural style, building materials and building colors of an accessory dwelling unit shall be compatible and consistent with the architectural style, materials, and color of the primary building. Mobile homes, travel trailers, boats, or similar recreational vehicles shall not be used as an accessory dwelling unit. 

4. Sale of principle dwelling: An accessory dwelling unit shall not be sold separately from the sale of the principle building dwelling located on the same lot. 

5. Owner occupied: The principle dwelling of the property shall be the primary residence of the property owner. 

6. Number of units: A maximum of one (1) accessory dwelling unit may be established as a secondary use to a detached single-family dwelling. 

7. Unit size: Accessory dwelling units shall not exceed the lesser of 50% of the size of the principle dwelling unit or 1,200 square feet. In no case shall the accessory dwelling unit contain a habitable square footage less than 300 square feet. 

8. Dimensional standards: Accessory dwelling units shall comply with required building height, setbacks and all applicable dimensional standards listed in Chapter 32 Table of Uses and Development Standards for attached or detached accessory buildings. 

9. Utilities: An accessory dwelling unit shall be connected to, and served by, the same water, sewer, electrical, and gas meters that serve the primary building. No separate utility lines, connections, or meters shall be allowed for an accessory dwelling unit.

10. Parking: A single-family dwelling with an accessory dwelling unit shall provide a minimum of five (5) on-site parking spaces located on a paved surface or approved driveway. A minimum of two (2) onsite parking spaces shall be designated for the use of those residing in the accessory dwelling unit. The number of onsite parking spaces shall not be less than the number of vehicles maintained on the property. Only driveways or parking pads containing a minimum length of eighteen feet (18’) may be counted toward required on-site parking. The minimum length of a driveway counting toward onsite parking shall not include any land associated with street rights-of-way, sidewalks or public property/access. All onsite parking spaces shall contain a minimum width of eight feet (8’). Property owner parking shall not be parked tandem with tenant parking and tenant parking shall not be parked tandem with owner parking. The area dedicated to onsite parking and driveway surfaces shall be limited in compliance with VZC Section 15.38.030(2)(b). 

11. Addresses: The single-family dwelling and accessory dwelling unit shall have unique addresses. 

12. Entrance: The exterior entrance to the accessory apartment shall be on the side or rear of the building and shall enter directly into the accessory dwelling unit. The interior entrance to the accessory dwelling unit shall be from within the principle dwelling unit. Only one (1) front entrance shall be visible from the front yard. 

13. Application: An accessory dwelling unit application may be approved if the property meets the standards listed in this section. An accessory dwelling unit shall not be authorized on a property that has outstanding ordinance violations or unpaid taxes.

14. Business License: All accessory dwelling units shall maintain a Vineyard City Business License to be renewed biennially, subject to property inspection for code compliance by a Vineyard City staff member. 

15. Compliance with adopted codes: Accessory dwelling units shall meet all requirements of the adopted Building Code and other applicable city ordinances and regulations.