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Arlington County Approves Another Round of Accessory Dwelling Regulations

  • May 20th 2019

by Nena Perry-Brown

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A rendering of the proposed 5-foot setback.

This weekend, the Arlington County Board approved a bill to loosen the restrictions around detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in the county.

On Saturday, the County Board unanimously approved a suite of amendments to the county's zoning code which could allow more homeowners to construct by-right detached ADUs.

Under the new regulations, new accessory dwellings on interior lots must be set back at least five feet on the rear yard and side yard. On corner lots, new accessory dwellings must be set back at least five feet on the side yard and ten feet on the rear yard. The bill also makes it easier to expand existing accessory buildings and convert them into ADUs.

The new zoning rules expand on a 2017 bill the county passed broadening the definition of ADUs, primarily for units within the footprint of a single-family home.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/arlington-county-board-approves-another-round-of-adu-regulations/15421.

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