(A) An accessory dwelling shall not be counted as a unit when calculating density, but shall be counted as a part of the principal single-family dwelling unit to which it is subordinate as one total unit, contingent upon it being designed, located, constructed and maintained in compliance with the following standards:
(B) General standards for all accessory dwellings.
(1) The accessory dwelling shall be located on the same lot as the principal single-family dwelling to which it is accessory and the principal single-family dwelling may be constructed before or after the issuance of a permit for the accessory dwelling the setbacks that apply to principal structures and buildings shall apply;
(2) The accessory dwelling shall be limited to a maximum of two bedrooms;
(3) Only one accessory dwelling shall be permitted for each detached principal single-family dwelling and shall not be permitted accessory to a multi-family dwelling;
(4) The accessory dwelling shall be owned by the same owner as the detached principal single-family dwelling to which it is accessory and the owner shall reside in the detached principal single-family dwelling or the accessory dwelling;
(5) The accessory dwelling shall be served by a water supply and septic system approved by the Virginia Department of Health;
(6) The accessory dwelling shall be constructed in compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code residential standards and shall be issued a certificate of occupancy as a dwelling prior to occupancy; and
(7) A minimum of one off-street parking space beyond what is required for the detached principal single-family dwelling shall be provided.
(C) An accessory dwelling shall be created through one of the following construction methods and shall meet the following standards specific to each method as defined below. If more than one method is used to create an accessory dwelling unit, the most restrictive standard shall apply.
(1) An internal conversion within a portion of an existing principal single-family dwelling or existing accessory structure or the total conversion of an existing accessory structure to create an accessory dwelling.
(a) The size of the accessory dwelling shall not exceed 50% of the gross heated floor area of the existing detached principal single-family dwelling calculated prior to the internal conversion to create an accessory dwelling.
(b) When the conversion is within an existing detached principal single-family dwelling, setback and height regulations for principal structures shall apply.
(c) When the conversion is within an existing accessory structure, setback and height regulations for accessory structures shall apply.
(2) An external attachment, connection or addition to an existing principal single-family dwelling or existing accessory structure to create an accessory dwelling.
(a) The size of the accessory dwelling shall not exceed 50% of the gross heated floor area of the existing detached principal single-family dwelling calculated prior to the external attachment, connection or addition to create an accessory dwelling.
(b) When the accessory dwelling is attached, connected or added to the existing principal single-family dwelling, setback and height regulations for principal structures shall apply.
(c) When the accessory dwelling is attached, connected or added to the existing accessory structure, setback and height regulations for accessory structures shall apply.
(3) Construction of an accessory dwelling within, attached, connected or added to a new detached principal single-family dwelling included in the initial design and construction or construction of a new detached accessory dwelling.
(a) The size of the accessory dwelling shall not exceed 50% of the gross heated floor area of the detached principal single-family dwelling calculated excluding area which are designated to an accessory dwelling having an external entrance not shared with the area designated to the detached principal single-family dwelling.
(b) Setback regulations for principal structures shall apply.
(c) When the accessory dwelling is within, attached, connected or added to a new detached principal single-family dwelling, height regulations for principal structures shall apply.
(d) When a new detached accessory dwelling is constructed, height regulations for accessory structures shall apply.
(4) Changing the use of an existing principal dwelling into an accessory dwelling and constructing a new principal single-family dwelling.
(a) The size of the accessory dwelling shall not exceed 50% of the gross heated floor area of the new principal single-family dwelling.
(b) Setback and height regulations for principal structures shall apply to the new principal single-family dwelling.
(Ord. passed 4-12-2016; Amendment adopted 5-9-2017)