Accessory Dwelling Unit Occupancy
The City of Fairfax proposed amendments to Chapter 110 (Zoning) of the City Code to address Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) occupancy rules, specifically eliminating age and disability requirements for ADU occupancy and updating outdated language (replacing "family" with "household" and referring readers to the code definition rather than duplicating it).
Staff framed this as a discrete, relatively minor regulatory change that could be addressed independently of a broader, more comprehensive review of ADU standards — covering physical characteristics, location, and permitting — that the city planned to undertake over the following year, with a community meeting scheduled for Fall. Both the Planning Commission (at a May 2025 work session) and City Council had previously identified removal of the age and disability requirements as a priority. On July 14, 2025, the Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend City Council approval of the ordinance amendments.
On July 22, 2025, City Council approved Ordinance 2025-06 unanimously, 6-0, enacting the amendments.
Still open
- A comprehensive, wholesale review of ADU regulations (covering physical standards, where and how ADUs are permitted, and other major topics) was described as forthcoming, with a community meeting planned for Fall 2025 to inform that process — the outcome and timeline of that broader review remain unresolved.
What members have said
Voted yes on July 14, 2025 to recommend City Council approve the proposed ordinance amendments to Chapter 110; no recorded verbal comments in the material.
Voted yes on July 14, 2025 to recommend City Council approve the proposed ordinance amendments to Chapter 110; no recorded verbal comments in the material.
Voted yes on July 14, 2025 to recommend City Council approve the proposed ordinance amendments to Chapter 110; no recorded verbal comments in the material.
Voted yes on July 14, 2025 to recommend City Council approve the proposed ordinance amendments to Chapter 110; no recorded verbal comments in the material.
Voted yes on July 22, 2025 to approve Ordinance 2025-06; no recorded verbal comments in the material.
Voted yes on July 22, 2025 to approve Ordinance 2025-06; no recorded verbal comments in the material.
Voted yes on July 22, 2025 to approve Ordinance 2025-06; no recorded verbal comments in the material.
Voted yes on July 22, 2025 to approve Ordinance 2025-06; no recorded verbal comments in the material.
Voted yes on July 22, 2025 to approve Ordinance 2025-06; no recorded verbal comments in the material.
Voted yes on July 22, 2025 to approve Ordinance 2025-06; no recorded verbal comments in the material.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
councilcommissionMinutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting, May 12, 2025 onward.
History
Filled dots are actions on this topic; open dots are mentions.
- Jul 14, 2025Planning Commission · item 6aProposed amendments to the Code of the City of Fairfax, Chapter 110 (Zoning) – Accessory Dwelling Unit Occupancy, Reducing Special Use Permits, and Miscellaneous Amendments
Commissioners discussed ADU occupancy rules, including the definition of household, occupant limits for group homes, and potential removal of age and disability requirements; staff noted a community meeting is planned for Fall to inform further wholesale ADU revisions.
passedMotion to recommend City Council approve proposed ordinance amendments to Chapter 110, Zoning, of the Code of the City of Fairfax, including Zoning Districts and Regulations, Site Development Standards, and Development Review and Definitions.✓ Feather✓ Cunningham✓ Lockhart✓ Rice· Briggs· Coleman - Jul 22, 2025City Council · item 7cPublic hearing and Council action – Zoning Ordinance amendments (Chapter 110): ADU Occupancy, Reducing Special Use Permits, and Miscellaneous Amendments
Zoning Ordinance amended to eliminate age and disability requirements for ADU occupancy as part of Ordinance 2025-06.
passedApprove Ordinance 2025-06 amending Chapter 110 (Zoning) relating to ADU occupancy, reducing special use permits, and miscellaneous zoning amendments.✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.