All districts
Ferndale permits accessory dwellings by right in R-1, R-2, MXD-1, and MXD-2 (Section 2.05). Review is administrative through the Building Department; no public hearing is required (Section 9.07). The Section 5.01 conditions:
- The lot must hold a one-, two-, or three-unit dwelling, and the accessory dwelling cannot be split onto its own lot (Section 5.01.A).
- It must connect to city-approved water and sewer (Section 5.01.B).
- The footprint may not exceed the principal structure's footprint or 20 percent of the lot, whichever is less (Section 5.01.C). A caution here: the source text reads "20% of the of the lot," and the table column is headed as a minimum while stating a maximum. Confirm the footprint math with the city before designing.
- Maximum height 25 feet. Not in the front yard. Side and rear setbacks of 5 feet (Section 5.01.C).
- An accessory dwelling may share a roof with the house but not walls (Article 20).
Two verified absences are worth stating plainly. The code contains no owner-occupancy requirement for an accessory dwelling. And the Parking Manual requires no parking space for an accessory dwelling.