Accessory Dwelling Unit Information

 ADU 4OVERVIEW


An ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT is an independent dwelling unit located on the same lot as an existing single-family residential structure. An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) provides complete living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation facilities. 

ADUs can help improve housing affordability and diversify a community’s housing stock without changing the physical character of a neighborhood. 


ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT TYPES 

Accessory Dwelling Units come in a number of forms including:

  • Detached from the primary residential structure
  • Attached to the primary residential structure

Some utilize existing spaces including garage or basement conversion. 

Other options include creating new space on the property through new construction. 

ADU 3

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT REQUIREMENTS UDC Sec. 2.5.4

PERMITTED 

LOCATIONS

One ADU may be allowed per single-family dwelling in the RE-2, RA, RE-1, RE-20, SF-10, SF-7 and SF-5 districts. 

STUCTURE 

PLACEMENT

ADUs may be either attached to or detached from the principal dwelling. 

DESIGN

ADUs shall be similar in appearance and design to the principal structure with respect to roof design and materials, siding materials, and window treatments. 

UTILITIES

ADUs and the primary dwelling may share or have separate utility meters. 

PARKING

One off-street parking space shall be required for each ADU, in addition to that required for the primary dwelling unit. 

OWNER 

OCCUPANCY

ADUs may be rented, but not sold separately from the principal dwelling unit. The resident of the primary dwelling or ADU must be the owner of record of the property. 

APPROVAL 

PERIOD

Such use may be approved for a period of up to five years and may be renewed administratively for successive five-year periods. 

DENSITY & DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS UDC Sec. 2.8 

HEIGHT

Maximum building height standards are specific to the zoning district in which the property is located. These standards can be found in UDC Section 2.8. 


SETBACKS

Building setback requirements are specific to the zoning district in which the property is located. These requirements can be found in UDC Section 2.8. 


LOT COVERAGE

ADUs are subject to the overall maximum 40 percent (40%) lot coverage standard for residential zoning districts. 

LOT SIZE / LOT WIDTH

Subject to the minimum lot area based on existing zoning district. 

SF-5: 5,000 SQFT | SF-7: 7,000 SQFT | SF-10: 10,000 SQFT | RE-20: 20,000 SQFT | RE-1: 43,560 SQFT | RE-2: 87,120 SQFT | RA: 43,560 SQFT






Info Advanced

  1. Mike Safrany
    Senior Planner
    Phone: 505-599-1333
    Email: msafrany@fmtn.org

    Colby Gibson
    Long Range Planner
    Phone: 505-599-1455
    Email: cgibson@fmtn.org

    Joaquin Gonzalez
    Associate Planner
    Phone: 505-599-1282
    Email: jgonzalez@fmtn.org

    Karen Walker
    Assistant Planner
    Phone: 505-599-1317
    Email: kwalker@fmtn.org

    Tami Spencer
    Administrative Assistant
    Phone: 505-599-1301
    Email: tspencer@fmtn.org
     
    Fax: 505-599-1299

    Address
    805 Municipal Drive - 2nd Floor
    Farmington, NM 87401
     
    Hours
    Monday - Friday
    8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

    Non-Emergency
    Police & Fire Dispatch
    505-334-6622