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Lexington-Fayette County, KY Overview
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Code of Ordinances
CHARTER AND CODE OF ORDINANCES LEXINGTON-FAYETTE URBAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT
SUPPLEMENT HISTORY TABLE
LEXINGTON-FAYETTE - URBAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT CHARTER
Chapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Chapter 2 - ADMINISTRATION1
Chapter 2A - AIRPORTS AND AIRCRAFT1
Chapter 2B - CODE ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING BOARDS
Chapter 3 - ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES1
Chapter 4 - ANIMALS AND FOWL1
Chapter 5 - BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS1
Chapter 5A - CIVIL DEFENSE: CIVIL EMERGENCIES
Chapter 6 - EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONS1
Chapter 7 - FINANCE AND TAXATION1
Chapter 8 - MINING AND/OR QUARRYING1
Chapter 9 - FIRE PREVENTION1
Chapter 9A - FIREWORKS
Chapter 10 - FOOD AND DRUGS1
Chapter 11 - HEALTH AND SANITATION1
Chapter 12 - HOUSING1
Chapter 13 - LICENSES AND REGULATIONS1
Chapter 13A - MINIMUM WAGE
Chapter 14 - OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS1
Chapter 15 - PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS1
Chapter 16 - SEWAGE, GARBAGE, REFUSE AND WEEDS1
Chapter 16A - HAZARDOUS MATERIALS1
Chapter 17 - STREETS AND SIDEWALKS1
Chapter 17A - SUBDIVISIONS1
Chapter 17B - STREET TREES1
Chapter 17C - PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY
Chapter 17D - DOCKLESS VEHICLES
Chapter 18 - TRAFFIC1
Chapter 18B - SNOW EMERGENCIES1
Chapter 18C - EMERGENCY AMBULANCE, TRANSPORTATION AMBULANCE LICENSING, REGULATIONS1
Chapter 19 - WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Chapter 20 - ZONING1
Chapter 21 - COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR CLASSIFIED CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM1
Chapter 22 - UNCLASSIFIED CIVIL SERVICE1
Chapter 23 - DIVISIONS OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AND POLICE1
Chapter 24 - DETENTION CENTER1
Chapter 25 - ETHICS ACT
Chapter 26 - RURAL LAND MANAGEMENT
APPENDIX A RULES AND PROCEDURES OF THE LEXINGTON-FAYETTE URBAN COUNTY COUNCIL1
CODE COMPARATIVE TABLE - ORDINANCES
STATE LAW REFERENCE TABLE
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Zoning Code
Sec. 3-12. - General regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
(a)   Pre-Application Conference. Prior to filing an application for a building permit for an ADU, the applicant shall meet with appropriate staff members of the Division of Planning to discuss the proposed permit. The purpose of this conference is to discuss, at the earliest stages, the requirements, procedures and issues related to the proposed ADU, and to provide guidance for the property owner relative to the Homeowner's Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU Manual).
It is intended that this conference will help to alleviate possible conflicts by early recognition of existing conditions, necessary facilities, and the recommendations of the ADU Manual pertaining to design, layout, and other considerations. The applicant shall arrange the conference, which shall be held not less than five (5) working days nor more than three (3) months prior to submitting the application.
The staff shall keep a record of the conference date and include the information in the records of the building permit file. The Division of Planning shall not accept an application for a zoning compliance permit for an ADU for which a pre-application conference has not been held.
(b)   Construction. An ADU may be created through new construction, an alteration of an existing structure, addition to an existing structure, or conversion of an existing structure to an ADU while simultaneously constructing a new primary dwelling unit on the site. A modular or manufactured home may be utilized as an ADU, provided it meets all other requirements of this section and is attached to a permanent foundation.
(c)   Number of Units. One (1) ADU is permitted per single family dwelling per lot.
(d)   Minimum Lot Size. None.
(e)   Maximum ADU Size. Eight hundred (800) square feet, except, Conversion: There is no limit on the size for the conversion of an existing basement to an ADU, so long as the conversion remains within the footprint of the structure.
(f)   Maximum Floor Area (FAR) and Lot Coverage. For an attached ADU, the maximum FAR and lot coverage shall be that of the underlying zone.
(g)   Yard requirements. For an attached ADU, the yard requirements shall be those required for a principal structure in the underlying zone.
(h)   Maximum Height. For an attached ADU, the maximum height shall be that of the underlying zone.
(i)   Off-Street Parking. For ADUs located in a zone with a maximum parking requirement, one (1) additional space may be permitted.
(j)   Short-Term Rentals shall be operated in accordance with Section 3-13.
(k)   Design Standards.
Entrances: Only one (1) pedestrian entrance to the structure may be located on the primary wall plane of the dwelling unit.
Exterior Stairs: Any exterior stairs to serve as the primary entrance to an ADU within the principal structure shall be located on the side or rear of such the primary dwelling.
(l)   Alterations of existing structures: If a detached ADU is created from an existing detached accessory structure that does not meet one or more of the standards within Section 3-12, the structure is exempt from the standard(s) it does not meet as per Section 3-2.
However, as per Section 4-4, any alterations that would result in the structure becoming less conforming to those standards it does not meet is not allowed.
(m)   Maximum Occupancy Limit. A maximum of two (2) persons and any children related to either of them or under their care through a duly authorized custodial relationship may reside in the ADU.
(Ord. No. 102-2021, § 2, 10-28-2021; Ord. No. 148-2023, § 2, 12-7-2023)