ADU Text Amendment Proposal

City of Glendale — Regular Meeting (2025-08-28)

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35.3.204 – Accessory Use Conditions 
 
A. Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) 
 
1. An accessory dwelling unit as defined in section 35.8.004 as an ancillary or secondary living 
unit to a single-family detached dwelling unit that has a kitchenette or kitchen, bathroom, and 
sleeping area, and is independently accessed from and located on the same lot as a single-family 
detached dwelling unit, either within the same building as the single-family dwelling unit or in a 
detached building. For purposes of determining maximum density, an accessory dwelling unit 
shall not count as a dwelling unit. A kitchenette is defined in section 35.8.004 as an area used or 
designed for the preparation of food and containing a sink, refrigerator, and an electrical outlet 
which may be used for a microwave oven but no 220v outlet for a range or oven may be 
provided. 
 
2. An accessory dwelling unit shall be subject to zoning clearance as required in section 
35.6.210. 
 
3. An accessory dwelling unit is a permitted use where the zoning allows for a single-family 
dwelling and the lot or parcel contains a primary dwelling. 
 
4. An accessory dwelling unit is not permitted on the same lot or parcel as a duplex or other 
multiple family development regardless of zoning district. 
 
5. No accessory dwelling unit shall be constructed prior to the construction of the single-family 
dwelling unit to which it is accessory. The accessory dwelling unit shall be secondary in size and 
function to the primary dwelling on the same lot or parcel. 
 
6. A mobile home, recreational vehicle, or other movable habitable space shall not be used as an 
accessory dwelling unit. 
 
7. Any accessory dwelling living unit that is licensed as a travel vehicle by the state or any other 
state shall be considered nonpermanent housing and shall be allowed for uses similar to 
recreational vehicles as specified in this code. 
 
8. Accessory dwelling units shall not be sold or otherwise conveyed separately from the primary 
dwelling on the same lot or parcel. 
 
9. Accessory dwelling units shall be independently accessed via an exterior door. Direct access 
via an interior door to the primary dwelling or an accessory building is prohibited.

9.10. No more than one attached accessory dwelling unit and one detached accessory dwelling 
unit shall be permitted per single-family dwelling lot or parcel,. except that: 
10. a. No more than one attached accessory dwelling unit and two detached accessory 
dwelling units shall be permitted if the single-family dwelling lot is one acre or more, and 
only if at least one of the accessory dwelling units is recorded as a restricted-affordable 
dwelling unit. 
b. For purposes of this subsection, “restricted-affordable dwelling unit” shall mean a 
dwelling unit that, either through a deed restriction or a development agreement with the 
municipality, shall be rented to households earning up to eighty percent of area median 
income. 
 
11. The accessory dwelling unit is subject to the same setback requirements that apply to a 
single-family dwelling on the same lot or parcel except that: 
(I)a. The rear setback for the accessory dwelling unit shall be no less than five (5) feet 
from the property line. 
(II)b. The side setbacks for the accessory dwelling unit shall be no less than five (5) feet 
from the property line. 
(III)c. The front setback for the accessory dwelling unit shall be no less than the front yard 
setback established by the zoning district for the lot or parcel. 
 
12. Accessory dwelling units shall adhere to allowable building frontage, maximum lot coverage, 
and maximum height as established by the zoning district for the lot or parcel. 
 
13. Any accessory dwelling unit that is constructed off-site is considered semi-permanent and 
must be placed on an approved foundation system. 
 
14. Accessory dwelling units shall have at a minimum, a kitchenette as described in section 
35.8.004, specific definitions. 
 
15. The design of accessory dwelling units are encouraged to be constructed of similar materials, 
colors, and architectural style to the existing single family dwelling unit. 
 
16. Accessory dwelling units may be constructed to equal the square footage gross floor area of 
the existing single family dwelling unit; but in no case shall the unit exceed one thousand (1,000) 
square feet. For purposes of this subsection, gross floor area shall mean the interior habitable 
area of a single-family dwelling or an accessory dwelling unit. 
 
17. A single-family residence that does not meet current setback requirements and is legally 
nonconforming may construct an accessory dwelling unit that complies with all accessory 
dwelling unit requirements.

18. A non-conforming or permitted accessory building or structure converted to an accessory 
dwelling unit shall meet all requirements for an accessory dwelling unit. 
 
19. The accessory dwelling unit shall not encroach upon an existing or planned public utility 
easement unless the property owner obtains a written consent from each easement holder and 
each affected utility. 
 
20. No additional parking space or in lieu parking fee shall be required to accommodate the 
accessory dwelling unit. An accessory dwelling unit shall have no separate driveway or parking 
area from that of the principal dwelling as described in section 35.4.006, residential off-street 
parking. 
 
21. An accessory dwelling unit shall have no separate address from the principal dwelling. 
 
22. Accessory dwelling units shall comply with all applicable residential building codes, fire 
codes, and public health and safety regulations. 
 
23. Accessory dwelling units shall be provided with adequate electricity, water supply, and 
sewage disposal. 
 
24. All accessory dwelling units shall have separate utility meters, to include a separate city 
water meter from the primary single-family dwelling unit.  
 
25. If presented for short-term rent (i.e. less than thirty (30) consecutive days), the property 
owner, which shall include title holders and contract purchasers, must occupy either the main 
dwelling or the accessory dwelling unit as their principal residence. The main dwelling or 
accessory dwelling unit that is not occupied by the property owner may then be rented for 
individual periods of more than or less than thirty consecutive days (i.e. Long-term or short-term 
rental). 
 
26. If the main dwelling or accessory dwelling unit is not owner-occupied, the accessory 
dwelling unit may not be leased, subleased, or rented separate and apart from the main dwelling 
for either long-term or short-term periods. The residency requirement does not apply to property 
owners who demonstrate they had a legal right to build an accessory dwelling unit on their lot or 
parcel on or before September 14, 2024, unless the three-year statute of limitations in A.R.S. § 
12-1134(g) has expired. Long-term rental for accessory dwelling units shall mean rental use in 
which the tenant holds a lease of ninety consecutive days or longer or on a month-by-month 
basis. If presented for long-term rent (i.e. thirty (30) consecutive days or more), the accessory 
dwelling unit may be leased, subleased, or rented separate and apart from the main dwelling for a 
period of thirty (30) consecutive days or more (i.e. long-term rental). The accessory dwelling

unit may be leased, subleased, or rented as a long-term rental even if the main dwelling is not 
owner-occupied, and the main dwelling unit may be leased, subleased, or rented as a long-term 
rental even if the accessory dwelling unit is not owner-occupied. 
 
27. A lot or parcel containing an accessory dwelling unit shall not be subdivided or split into two 
or more lots or parcels unless each lot or parcel complies with all city codes and ordinances as 
such the entire accessory dwelling unit shall remain on one lot only. For an existing accessory 
dwelling unit to remain on the new lot or parcel created by subdivision, the property owner must 
modify the primary dwelling and the accessory dwelling unit of the subdivided lots to comply 
with city codes and ordinances, including providing separate utility connections to each dwelling 
unit and obtaining a new certification of occupancy for each dwelling unit as required by the 
building official prior to the recording the subdivision or lot split of the property. The accessory 
dwelling unit that remains on the new lot or parcel shall be considered and recorded as the 
primary dwelling, unless a new primary dwelling unit is constructed on the new lot or parcel. 
 
28. Regulations for restricted affordable accessory dwelling unit 
(a)a. Ddeed restriction 
(1)i. The owner of a proposed restricted-affordable dwelling unit that is subject to 
this section shall execute and deliver an original recorded copy of a development 
agreement with the city or a copy of the standard form of deed restriction with 
Maricopa County Assessor Office to the city prior to issuance of a building permit 
for the construction of the proposed restricted-affordable dwelling unit on the lot or 
parcel. 
 
(2)ii. The deed restriction shall be recorded by the owner of the lot burdened thereby 
in the property records of Maricopa County Recorder's Office and remain a covenant 
and restriction running with the property for a minimum period of thirty (30) years. 
 
(b)b. Aaffordability 
The rent of the restricted-affordable dwelling unit shall not exceed the maximum rents 
established according to households earning up to eighty percent of AMI (area median 
income). The restricted affordable dwelling unit shall not be rented to any entity. 
 
(c)c. oOccupancy requirement 
(1)i. When the restricted-affordable dwelling unit becomes vacant, the owner shall 
promptly make it available and actively market said unit for lease to another qualified 
occupant in accordance with the deed restriction or development agreement and any 
rental guidelines adopted by the city.

(2)ii. In the event the income status of the occupant of the restricted-affordable dwelling 
unit is altered so as to no longer meet the qualifications of this section. said occupant 
shall be permitted to reside in the unit under the same terms and conditions of the unit 
lease. except that no extension of the lease term shall be granted. 
 
(3)iii. Rental shall be in compliance with all fair housing regulations. 
 
(d)d. Rreporting Rrequirement 
The owner of the restricted-affordable dwelling unit shall provide an annual report and 
proof to the city to demonstrate compliance with the rental requirements set forth in this 
section. The annual report shall be submitted to the director of community services or 
designee between January 15 and January 30 of each year and shall cover the entire 
twelve 02) month period of the preceding calendar year. Said report shall contain, at a 
minimum; 
(1)i. The period(s) the restricted-affordable dwelling unit was rented and the status by 
which its occupant(s) qualified under the deed restriction; 
(2)ii. The monthly rental price; and 
(3)iii. The taxes, special assessments. and homeowners' association and management 
fees, and any other fees or charges, including common utilities, assessed to each unit.