Accessory Bldgs in Res Zoning DistrictsCommunity Development Department
Accessory Buildings in Residential Zoning Districts
The City's Municipal Code Section 21.02.015 defines accessory building as a "detached,
subordinate building whose use is clearly incidental to that of the main building or to the
use of the land and which does not contain living or sleeping quarters or storage for
commercial motor vehicles in excess of athree-quarter-ton."
The Community Development Director has made the determination that full bathrooms
(e.g. sink, toilet and shower/bathtub) and enclosed workshops with separate entrances
constitute living quarters and are therefore not permitted in accessory buildings.
Workshops with partial bathrooms that are accessible from the workshop must be open to
the garage area with at least a six foot opening. The plumbing fixtures are limited to a
sink, toilet, hot water heater, and washing machine connection; however, the washing
machine connection shall not be adjacent to the other water connections. Any type of
living quarters, such as offices and recreational rooms, are not permitted in accessory
buildings.
The City may require a deed restriction to provide notice to existing and future property
owners of the restrictions placed on the accessory structure, including not utilizing the
structure for living or sleeping purposes and not installing or utilizing any appliance(s)
for cooking or heating food or beverages, such as a stove, oven, microwave, toaster, or
hot plate.
In addition, the City's Building Official has determined that accessory structures are
classified asnon-habitable space which constitutes a U-1 Occupancy. This type of
occupancy does not have specific requirements for light, heat, insulation, ventilation, or
windows.
Effective July 16, 200
Sharon Fierro
Community Development Director