(a) Purpose and Intent. It is the purpose of th is article to reduce the barriers that prevent homeowners from building accessory dwellings. Accessory dwellings benefit the City of Parkersburg by increasing the supply of affordable housing, enhancing job opportunities by providing housing closer to employment centers and public transportation, providing homeowners with extra income to better meet rising homeownership costs, and by creating a convenient living arrangement that allows family members or other persons to provide care and support for someone in a semi-independent living situation without having to leave their community.
(b) Definitions.
(1) Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) - "Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)" means a residential living unit located either on the same parcel as the principal residence of the property owner or on an abutting parcel that was previously used only as yard for said principal dwelling and may not be sold or transferred separate from the principal dwelling lot. An ADU provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons. An ADU can be a fully detached unit, a unit that is part of a larger accessory structure such as a detached garage, or a unit that is part of an expanded or remodeled principal dwelling.
(2) Principal Residence - "Principal Residence" means a dwelling which serves as the primary residence for the homeowner for a majority of the time during a year.
(c) Zoning. An accessory dwelling located on the parcel in which the principal residence of the property owner is located or situated on an abutting parcel that was previously used only as yard for the principal residence of the property owner and cannot be sold or transferred without the transfer of the principal dwelling lot, is categorized as an 'accessory permitted use' within all R-Districts and B-Districts throughout the City of Parkersburg.
(d) Additional Accessory Dwellings. Any additional accessory dwelling is categorized as an 'accessory conditional use' and requires authorization by the Board of Zoning Appeals, after a finding that such accessory use meets the requirements and conditions specified in Section 1347.02(e) provided further that any accessory conditional use shall meet the requirements and conditions specified in Section 1329.05(b).
(Ord. 0-1712. Passed 8-23-22.)