ROCKINGHAM — Detached accessory apartments are now permitted in the city limits.
The Rockingham City Council on Feb. 11 unanimously voted to approve a text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance to allow such structures.
Assistant City Manager John Massey told the council that interest in accessory apartments has increased locally and across the country in recent years, saying that they are a way to provide affordable housing and dwellings for the elderly.
Prior to the vote, accessory apartments were only permitted if they were attached to the main house or on the second floor of a detached garage.
According to Massey, there were several problems with that provision:
The recently passed amendment allows for the construction of one detached apartment per lot, limited to 40% of the gross floor area of the primary home, up to a maximum 750 square feet. It also must be located in the backyard.
Additionally, the amendment strikes a requirement that the property owner live in one of the units.
However, it prohibits manufactured homes and travel trailers from being considered as accessory apartments.
The vote was made following a public hearing with no input.
Later in the meeting, the council voted to appoint Jerry L. Goodwin Jr. to the city’s Board of Adjustments to replace Debbie Wrenn, who was appointed to the city council late last year to fill out the remainder of the term of Anne Edwards, who resigned due to health reasons.
