Moscow softens requirements for parking, accessory dwellings

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City council eliminates lot size requirement for accessory dwelling units, covered parking requirement

Lot size is no longer an obstacle for Moscow property owners to construct an “accessory dwelling unit” on their property.

The Moscow City Council on Monday night chose to eliminate the minimum lot size requirement which will allow greater opportunities for all residential properties to have the option of developing the units.

Eight ADUs — separate units that are accessory to single-family dwellings — have been constructed in Moscow since the city council in 2015 approved an ADU ordinance allowing the units in all residential zones, said Moscow Planning Manager Mike Ray.
 
But many lots do not meet the minimum lot area of the zoning district they are in and city staff has received several inquiries since 2015 regarding establishing ADUs on lots with nonconforming sizes.

The amended ordinance, recommended by the Moscow Planning and Zoning Commission, removes the limited lot size eligibility from the ordinance to open ADU opportunities to the nonconforming lot owners.

Ray said most of the nonconforming lot sizes are located in traditional neighborhoods that are close to downtown and where the city is promoting infill development.

The ADUs must be no more than 600 square feet in size or 40 percent of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling, whichever is less. Occupancy of the ADUs is limited to two people and the owner must live in the ADU or in the principal dwelling on the property. One off-street parking space is required for the ADU

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