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Scappoose City Zoning Code

17.92 Accessory

Dwelling Units

17.92.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish appropriate locations, site development standards and permit requirements to allow for the provision of accessory dwelling units (ADU's) within the city. ADU's, commonly referred to as "granny flats" are a well-established housing strategy that utilize an additional living unit in areas zoned for single-family use. By creating a self-contained unit with a separate entrance and kitchen from existing space in the primary dwelling; a combination of existing and newly created space; space in an existing accessory building; or, from the addition of a new accessory building, second homes can be created in association with existing or new homes. Such living space can aid in the housing and dependent care of family members, provide rental income to offset the costs of homeownership, and add to the supply of affordable housing options available to the citizens of Scappoose. (Ord. 868, 2018; Ord. 714 Exh. A, 2002)

17.92.020 Development standards.

In addition to other standards of this code, ADU's shall comply with the following development standards:

A. An ADU shall meet all applicable health, fire safety and building codes, per the Oregon Structural Specialty Code;

B. ADU's shall be allowed only in conjunction with parcels containing one single-family dwelling. Only one ADU per parcel is permitted.

C. The ADU may be created by converting existing living area or adding floor area, or construction of a new structure that is either attached or detached. An attached garage does not qualify as living area;

D. The maximum gross habitable floor area (GHFA) of the ADU shall not exceed fifty percent of the GHFA of the primary residence on the lot, and shall not exceed a maximum of eight hundred square feet, whichever is less. The floor area of any garage shall not be included in the total;

E. Only one entrance shall be located on the front of the primary dwelling or any portion of the primary dwelling abutting a street, unless the dwelling contained additional entrances before the accessory residential unit was created;

F. In order to maintain an architectural character similar to the primary dwelling, the accessory residential unit shall have siding and roofing materials and exterior paint colors that generally match the siding and roofing materials, and exterior paint colors of the primary dwelling;

G. The development of the ADU shall provide an additional on-site parking space if the primary dwelling has less than three on-site spaces (for example, inclusive of a garage and driveway) available before construction of the accessory unit;

H. A minimum six-foot hedge or site-obscuring fence may be required by the planner to buffer a detached ADU from dwellings on adjacent lots, when buffering is necessary for the privacy and enjoyment of yard areas of adjacent properties. (Ord. 868, 2018; Ord. 828, 2013; Ord. 714 Exh. A, 2002)