Chapter 16- Accessory Dwelling Units
16.010 Intent.
16.020 Definition.
16.030 Applicable Land Use Designations.
16.040 General Provisions.
16.050 Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units.
16.010 Intent.
The intent of this chapter is to allow for Accessory Dwelling Units in accordance with State law in order to provide additional affordable housing opportunities, including housing for the elderly in Mono County.
16.020 Definition.
"Accessory Dwelling Unit" (also referred to as "dependent," “Secondary Housing,” or "granny unit") means residential occupancy of a living unit located on the same parcel as the primary residential unit. It provides complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the primary unit is situated. An Accessory Dwelling Unit shall meet the minimum regulations for an efficiency dwelling unit in the California Building Code.
The Accessory Dwelling Unit can be either attached to or detached from the primary residential unit but in either case shall have similar architectural elements as the primary unit (i.e., materials, textures, colors, etc.; see 16.050 G below). The Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be clearly subordinate to the primary unit.
Utilities that are installed for future expansion, such as stub outs that would allow a kitchen to be installed at a later date shall be considered as complete cooking facilities in accessory dwelling units. In units required by deed restriction, complete cooking facilities shall be installed resulting in a usable kitchen at final permit issuance, and interior access between attached units shall be no more than a single personnel door.
16.030 Applicable Land Use Designations.
An Accessory Dwelling Unit may be permitted in any land use designation that allows single-family residences as a permitted use or as allowed in Specific Plan (SP) areas subject to the General Provisions below.
16.040 General Provisions.
- On parcels less than 7,500 sq. ft. in net area, an attached Accessory Dwelling Unit not exceeding 500 sq. ft. in size may be permitted with a building permit.
- On parcels of 7,500 sq. ft. up to 10,000 sq. ft. in net area, an attached Accessory Dwelling Unit not exceeding 640 sq. ft. in size is allowed with a building permit. A detached Accessory Dwelling Unit not exceeding 640 sq. ft. may be permitted by application for a Director Review.
- On parcels of 10,000 sq. ft. up to one acre in net area, an Accessory Dwelling Unit not exceeding 640 sq. ft. in size (attached or detached) is allowed with a building permit.
- On parcels one acre or greater, an Accessory Dwelling Unit not exceeding 640 sq. ft. in size (attached or detached) is allowed with a building permit. In this same parcel size range, an Accessory Dwelling Unit exceeding 640 sq. ft. but not exceeding 1,400 sq. ft. in size (attached or detached) may be permitted by application for a Director Review. In this same parcel size range, an Accessory Dwelling Unit exceeding 1,400 sq. ft. may be permitted by application for a use permit.
- Square footage of Accessory Dwelling Units shall be calculated based on the exterior dimensions of the unit. All interior living space shall count toward the total square footage of the unit.
- Consistent with Government Code section 65852.2, ministerial reviews shall occur within 120 days after receiving an accessory dwelling unit application.
16.050 Standards for New Accessory Dwelling Units.
- All construction shall conform to the height, setback, lot coverage, fees (including school impact fees and fire district fees), snow storage, and other development requirements applicable to residential construction in the land use designation in which the property is located.
- If a well and/or septic system is/are to be utilized, a clearance letter shall be obtained from the Environmental Health director and shall accompany the building permit application (or if applicable, the Director Review or Use Permit application). For Accessory Dwelling Units that are served by a public water and/or sewer system, a letter from the serving entity that indicates adequate service shall be submitted as part of the application.
- One of the units on the parcel (either the primary unit or the Accessory Dwelling Unit) must be owner occupied.
- If the Accessory Dwelling Unit is 640 sq. ft. or less in size, one off-street parking space must be provided for the Accessory Dwelling Unit in addition to parking required for the primary unit. If the Accessory Dwelling Unit is larger than 640 square feet, two parking spaces must be provided for the Accessory Dwelling Unit in addition to parking required for the primary unit, if it contains two or more bedrooms. Parking shall be in accordance with Chapter 06 of the Mono County Land Use Element unless the following instances exist, in which case, no parking standards shall be imposed.
- The accessory dwelling unit is located within one-half mile of public transit.
- The accessory dwelling unit is located within an architecturally and historically significant historic district.
- The accessory dwelling unit is part of the existing primary residence or an existing accessory structure.
- When on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupant of the accessory dwelling unit.
- When there is a car-share vehicle located within one block of the accessory dwelling unit.
- Whether attached or detached, the Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be architecturally compatible with the primary residence. The Community Development Department shall determine the architectural compatibility of the structures and shall consider roofing, siding, trim, door and window frame colors; roofing, siding, trim, door, and window materials; roof slope and pitch; and wall articulation, roof line articulation, eaves, railings, chimneys, porches, and similar features; landscaping should also be considered in helping to make the units compatible. In addition, the Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be clearly subordinate to the primary unit in terms of size and placement on the property. If attached, the two units shall have the appearance of a single-family residence; the Accessory Dwelling Unit entrance shall be located on the side or rear of the building.
- Accessory dwelling units shall not be required to provide fire sprinklers if they are not required for the primary residence. Accessory dwelling unit utility connections and related fees shall comply with Government Code section 65852.2.
- No passageway shall be required in conjunction with with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit. No setback shall be required for an existing garage that is converted to an accessory dwelling unit, and a setback of no more than five feet from the side and rear lot lines shall be required for an accessory dwelling unit that is constructed above a garage.
