The intent of this Regulation is to encourage the creation of accessory apartments within, or as adjunct to, existing single-family residences for the purpose of providing rental housing for the elderly, single persons and small families. This Regulation is designed to ensure that in creating an accessory apartment, the single-family character of the principal dwelling will be retained. Accessory apartments are further intended to enable the viability of Roxbury's single-family zones to be continued.

One primary residence and two accessory apartments (or one accessory apartment and one second stand-alone home) will be allowed per lot. A single-family dwelling may be converted into a single-family dwelling with one single accessory apartment, subject to, and upon compliance with the standards and procedures set forth in subsections 14.3.2 and 14.3.3.

14.3.1.

There shall be no more than one accessory apartment in the primary residence.

14.3.2.

An accessory apartment within the primary residence shall have a minimum floor area of 450 square feet and a maximum floor area equal to forty percent (40%) of the floor area of the primary residence not including the garage.

14.3.3.

The primary residence shall retain conforming square footage for a single-family dwelling.

14.3.4.

An accessory apartment in an accessory building shall be subordinate in size to the primary residence with minimum floor area of 450 square feet and a maximum floor area of 1,800 square feet, not including the garage.

14.3.5.

In lieu of an accessory apartment in an accessory building, a secondary residence outside the primary residence may be a stand-alone building. It shall be subordinate in size to the primary residence with minimum floor area of 450 square feet and maximum floor area of 1,800 square feet, not including the garage.

14.3.6.

Parking as required in Section 13 of these Regulations for a single-family dwelling shall be provided for the accessory apartment.

No conversion contemplated under this Section shall occur, nor any building permit or certificate of occupancy be issued under this Section until the owner of the building to be converted has received approval from the Zoning Commission or the Zoning Enforcement Officer. Information provided to the Zoning Enforcement Officer shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

14.4.1.

A letter from the owner requesting review and approval.

14.4.2.

A plot plan indicating the location of the single-family residence, accessory structures, lot area, zone designation; and yard distances.

14.4.3.

Floor plans showing the existing room layout and proposed changes with regard to placement of kitchen, bath, size of rooms, ingress-egress, placement of windows and doors.

14.4.4.

Certification from the Town Sanitarian that the septic system shall have sufficient capacity to treat any additional wastes due to a converted unit.

Any permit for a dwelling conversion or for an apartment in an accessory building shall be subject to revocation of the Zoning permit by the Commission after a hearing:

14.5.1.

If upon inspection by the Zoning Enforcement Officer and building official prior to or following certificate of occupancy it is found that all requirements have not or are not being met.

14.5.2.

After occupancy the owner shall, at the request of the Commission, permit any inspection deemed necessary by the Commission. Failure to allow such an inspection of either or both the primary residence or accessory apartment would be grounds for revocation.