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<br />City of Little Canada – Accessory Structure Ordinance Updates <br />Planning Commission Meeting – October 23, 2025 <br />28 <br />915.070 Dwelling Units and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) <br />A. Purpose <br />The purpose of this section is to establish general standards for dwellings and accessory dwelling <br />units (ADUs) to ensure that all residential living spaces are safe, code-compliant, and compatible <br />with surrounding development. These provisions clarify limitations on non-dwelling structures <br />being used for habitation and provide regulations for the development of detached ADUs that <br />expand housing options while maintaining the scale and character of existing neighborhoods. <br /> <br />B. General Restrictions <br />1. No cellar, garage, tent, accessory building, trailer, or recreational vehicle shall be used as an <br />independent dwelling unit except where specifically permitted as an Accessory Dwelling <br />Unit under this section. <br />2. Basements may be used as living quarters or rooms that are part of a residential dwelling, <br />provided such rooms meet all applicable building and fire codes. <br />3. Tents, playhouses, or similar structures may only be used for play or recreational purposes. <br /> <br />C. Accessory Dwelling Units <br />1. Applicability <br />a. ADUs are permitted only on lots containing a single -family dwelling within the R-1, R- <br />2, and R-C Districts. <br />b. Detached ADUs shall meet the size, height, and placement standards for detached <br />accessory buildings established in Chapter 904 and Section 915.020 . <br />c. An ADU may be established within an existing nonconforming detached accessory <br />structure, provided the nonconformity is not expanded and all applicable provisions of <br />Chapter 913 are met . <br /> <br />2. Lot and Ownership <br />a. Only one (1) ADU is permitted per lot. <br />b. The principal dwelling and ADU must remain in common ownership and may not be <br />subdivided or sold separately. <br /> <br />3. Design <br />a. Detached ADUs shall comply with the design standards of Section 915.020 and be <br />compatible with the principal dwelling in exterior material and general architectural <br />character. <br />b. Manufactured or modular ADUs may be permitted if permanently affixed to a <br />foundation. <br />c. Recreational vehicles, campers, or mobile homes shall not be used as ADUs . <br /> <br />4. Parking <br />Parking for ADUs shall be provided in accordance with Section 915.170, Parking, Off - <br />Street. <br /> <br />5. Utilities and Access <br />a. ADUs shall be accessed by a paved walkway or driveway shared with the principal <br />dwelling. <br />Commented [BH43]: Currently titled “Dwelling Unit <br />Restrictions” <br />Commented [BH44]: Currently in code with exception of <br />“Accessory Dwelling Unit” sentence. <br />Commented [BH45]: ADUs can be wherever a lawful <br />detached accessory building can be. If it is a non-conforming <br />structure, it can not be enlarged in any way but the interior <br />can be modified. <br />Commented [BH46]: The clause essentially prohibits <br />someone from condo-ing their property. <br />Commented [BH47]: Requires 1 spot per ADU. Already <br />in the Code from the 2021 update.