A zoning amendment on this year’s ballot would add a new section to the ordinance outlining regulations for accessory dwelling units.

According to the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning, a law which went into effect in the state in 2017 requires municipalities to allow internal or attached accessory dwelling units in all zones that allow single-family units. The law was passed in an attempt to create more affordable housing options, increasing the potential supply of homes without the need for more land development.

Greenville’s amendment would add a new definition to the ordinance for accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, as well as a section outlining the criteria an ADU must meet. The state law provides for towns also allowing detached units, but Greenville’s proposal does not address that issue, only outlining the rules for attached apartments.

The amendment would define an ADU as a residential unit, within or attached to a single-family dwelling. The unit has to provide independent living facilities, including space for sleeping, cooking and sanitation. It must be at least 600 square feet, but can’t exceed 1,000 square feet or have more than two bedrooms.

The new regulations allow ADUs in all districts where residential buildings are permitted, but outline certain rules for their construction and use. The unit has to be within or attached to a single-family home, and be connected by a door in an interior common wall. Any exterior entrances or exits must be located to the side or rear of the building, rather than facing the street. Only one additional unit is allowed per lot.

The owner of the property must use one of the two units as their primary residence, and the accessory unit must be smaller than the gross living area of the main dwelling on the property.

Getting approval for an ADU

Residents who wish to construct an accessory dwelling unit are required to get a building permit prior to the start of any construction. As part of the process, the fire chief must determine the house number for the ADU when the permit is applied for.

All accessory units must have a fire alarm system, which is interconnected to the principal home in a way that the activation of an alarm in one home will activate alarms in both, and any accessory buildings.

Any driveways on the property must be designed to appear the same as a driveway for a single-family home, and there can not be any new curb cuts, but there must also be a parking space provided for each bedroom in both the principal home and the accessory unit.

Any septic system has to be adequate to support the additional use.

If a lot is nonconforming with the town’s zoning ordinance, the Zoning Board of Adjustment can grant special exceptions allowing accessory units, as long as the unit won’t increase the nonconformity of the lot, and will be adequately served by water and sewer.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.

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